irregular intervals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irregular intervals" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe occurrences that happen at unpredictable or varying times. For example: "The train arrives at irregular intervals throughout the day." Alternative expressions include "uneven intervals" and "sporadic intervals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She stopped drinking at irregular intervals.

The New Yorker

The Dansgaard-Oeschger (or D-O) events, which occurred at irregular intervals, have no apparent cause.

The New Yorker

I have reread it at irregular intervals, always with pleasure and renewed astonishment.

The Guardian - Books

She'd retrieve the money at irregular intervals, arranging to meet in various Borders bookstores.

The Guardian

Most investors buy in late, deploying and withdrawing big chunks of capital at irregular intervals.

The New Yorker

"Ven Och Vod?" is published at irregular intervals in Helsinki, Finland.

The New Yorker

At irregular intervals, however, he has intervened to shape inchoate developments.

The New York Times

Animals live in dynamic environments where external conditions vary at cyclic or irregular intervals.

Stanford University

"Identity T" moved fitfully, as the drummer Tommy Crane and the bassist Eivind Opsvik stopped time at irregular intervals.

The New York Times - Arts

If Germany had prevailed it would have been by exploiting the openings that came their way at irregular intervals.

The Guardian - Sport

As they steer passengers along the faux Venetian canals, they smile for the cameras, shouting 'Buon giorno!' at irregular intervals.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that don't follow a set schedule, use "irregular intervals" to clearly communicate the unpredictable nature of their timing. This phrase adds precision, informing the reader that occurrences are neither cyclic nor evenly spaced.

Common error

Avoid using "irregular intervals" when you actually mean 'regular intervals'. The opposite of "irregular intervals" is 'regular intervals', which implies a consistent, predictable pattern. Ensure you are accurately representing the timing of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irregular intervals" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating when or how frequently an action occurs. As noted by Ludwig AI, it specifies that the action happens at varying and unpredictable times. For example, "The lights would suddenly dim, as if a cloud were moving across the sun, at irregular intervals."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irregular intervals" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe events occurring at unpredictable times. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its validity and common usage across various domains. With a high expert rating and a wide range of authoritative sources, it's a reliable choice for conveying non-uniform timing. When writing, remember to distinguish it from 'regular intervals' and consider semantically similar alternatives like "sporadic occurrences" or "intermittent moments" to fine-tune your message. In conclusion, "irregular intervals" is a versatile and precise phrase to describe unpredictable timing in many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sporadic occurrences

Focuses on the random nature of events, differing slightly from a fixed but uneven timing.

unevenly spaced periods

Highlights the lack of uniformity in the time between events, emphasizing the spacing.

random timeframes

Emphasizes unpredictability and the absence of a pattern in the duration of the intervals.

inconsistent frequencies

Focuses on the variable rate at which events happen, rather than the specific gaps between them.

varying rhythms

Suggests a pattern that isn't fixed or predictable, often used in contexts like music or natural phenomena.

intermittent moments

Highlights the stopping and starting nature of events, suggesting they are not continuous.

unpredictable occurrences

Stresses the surprise element and the inability to foresee when events will take place.

off-and-on instances

Describes events that happen sometimes but not consistently, emphasizing the lack of regularity.

non-uniform sequences

Highlights the lack of a standard order or arrangement in how events unfold.

oscillating instances

Focuses on the way events swing back and forth between states or moments.

FAQs

How can I use "irregular intervals" in a sentence?

You can use "irregular intervals" to describe events or actions that occur at unpredictable or varying times, such as, "The machine made noises at "irregular intervals" throughout the night".

What's the difference between "irregular intervals" and "random intervals"?

"Irregular intervals" suggests a lack of a fixed pattern, while "random intervals" implies there's no discernible pattern or predictability at all. "Random intervals" may be more appropriate when the timing is truly unpredictable.

What are some alternatives to "irregular intervals"?

Alternatives include "sporadic occurrences", "unevenly spaced periods", or "intermittent moments", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "at irregular intervals" or "in irregular intervals"?

The correct phrasing is "at irregular intervals". The preposition 'at' is used to indicate a point in time or a manner of occurrence.