in bouts of

USAGE SUMMARY

'in bouts of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a pattern or frequency of behavior. For example: The athlete trained in bouts of intense exercise, followed by periods of rest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

During this time, groups may join together in bouts of calling.

Cornell University

There's a gym that Billy Bob uses when he finds himself in bouts of self-improvement.

The Guardian

The WHO report says 24.5% of American drinkers engage in bouts of heavy episodic drinking.

The Guardian - Opinion

While sections of America and Europe engage in bouts of angst, many developing nations optimistically forge ahead.

Yale University

"If you can't get outside, walk around your house in bouts of 10 to 15 minutes, two to three times a day," says Dr. Salamon.

Harvard University

This would not have been entirely out of character, as Poe had engaged in bouts of heavy drinking throughout his life.

Britannica

Later, he carried scraps of paper and stubby pencils into the fields with him, and wrote up his collected observations in bouts of fevered creativity.

The Guardian - Books

The paintings often take several years to finish, but they always look as though they were made quickly in bouts of feverish inspiration.

The New York Times - Arts

He is a clownish snob, full of vainglorious gas and murderous envy, which he vents in his diary in bouts of lacerating pique.

The New Yorker

And they mourn the waste of those gifts, the books conceived of and then dissipated in bouts of drinking and conversation that lasted until dawn.

The New Yorker

During the breeding season, both sexes spend less time feeding and more time in bouts of vigilance, and males have shorter feeding bouts than females (Reboreda and Fernandez 1997).

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in bouts of" to describe recurring actions or conditions, especially when emphasizing the intermittent nature of these occurrences. For example, "The patient experienced symptoms in bouts of dizziness and nausea."

Common error

Avoid using "in bouts of" when referring to continuous or constant states. This phrase is best suited for describing actions or conditions that start and stop, rather than those that are ongoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in bouts of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the intermittent or periodic nature of an action or condition. Ludwig confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase. For example, "He experienced creativity in bouts of fevered inspiration."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

27%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in bouts of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes actions or conditions occurring intermittently or periodically, rather than continuously. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its widespread use across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, with neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's essential to avoid using it for constant states, focusing instead on actions with clear starts and stops. Alternatives like "in periods of" or "intermittently" may be suitable depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in periods of

Focuses on time intervals rather than specific occurrences.

in episodes of

Highlights specific incidents or events that occur intermittently.

in instances of

Emphasizes individual cases or occurrences.

at times

A more general way to indicate occasional occurrences.

from time to time

Indicates occasional or intermittent frequency.

on occasion

Highlights specific instances rather than sustained periods.

every so often

Emphasizes the irregularity of the occurrences.

in spurts of

Suggests sudden bursts of activity or occurrences.

intermittently

Adverbial form describing the action's occurrence.

periodically

Adverbial form indicating regular intervals, though not necessarily predictable ones.

FAQs

How can I use "in bouts of" in a sentence?

Use "in bouts of" to describe something that happens periodically or intermittently, such as "She experienced anxiety "in bouts of" intense stress".

What are some alternatives to saying "in bouts of"?

You can use alternatives like "in periods of", "in episodes of", or "intermittently" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "in bouts with" instead of "in bouts of"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "of". "In bouts with" implies a struggle or confrontation, which is not the intended meaning when describing recurring actions or conditions.

What's the difference between "in bouts of" and "during"?

"In bouts of" suggests that something happens intermittently or periodically, while "during" indicates something that occurs continuously or consistently throughout a specified time.