is intermittent

USAGE SUMMARY

"is intermittent" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing something that happens occasionally or irregularly. For example, "The WiFi signal in my house is intermittent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wind power is intermittent.

The Economist

Power is intermittent".

The New York Times

But such disclosure is intermittent.

The Economist

Inspiration, though, is intermittent and mercurial.

The Guardian

There is intermittent and often heavy gunfire outside.

The New York Times

Even then, the interference is intermittent and minor.

The New York Times - Tech

In the summer the Canadian high is intermittent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One diet we've been doing a big study on is intermittent fasting.

The Guardian

The tanks are widely used because piped water supply throughout the city is intermittent.

The Guardian

"There are questions with renewable energy, particularly the fact it is intermittent".

The Guardian

The shock of Dahl's work isn't full-out horror; overt grisliness is intermittent.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing phenomena that don't occur constantly, use "is intermittent" to clearly convey the sporadic nature of the event.

Common error

Don't use "is intermittent" when you mean "is infrequent". "Intermittent" suggests a pattern of stopping and starting, while "infrequent" simply means not happening often.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is intermittent" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject by attributing to it the characteristic of being sporadic or occurring at intervals. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, confirming its role in specifying the nature of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is intermittent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that occurs sporadically or at irregular intervals. According to Ludwig, this expression is correct and suitable for use in written English. Its neutral to formal tone makes it appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. When aiming for clarity, remember that "is intermittent" suggests a stop-and-start pattern, distinguishing it from merely "infrequent" occurrences. Consider using alternative phrases like "occurs sporadically" or "happens periodically" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is on and off

A simpler, more informal way of saying "is intermittent", indicating a lack of continuity.

occurs sporadically

Replaces "is intermittent" by emphasizing the irregular and unpredictable nature of the occurrence.

happens periodically

Indicates a regular, but not constant, pattern replacing "is intermittent".

functions erratically

Highlights the irregular and unpredictable functionality replacing "is intermittent".

operates irregularly

Focuses on the non-uniform operation instead of continuous performance, replacing "is intermittent".

works in bursts

Emphasizes short, intense periods of activity followed by pauses, replacing "is intermittent".

varies in frequency

Focuses on the changing rate of occurrence, replacing "is intermittent".

alternates between states

Highlights the changing nature between different conditions, replacing "is intermittent".

exhibits discontinuity

Emphasizes the lack of continuous action, replacing "is intermittent".

features gaps

Highlights interruptions or pauses in the function, replacing "is intermittent".

FAQs

How can I use "is intermittent" in a sentence?

You can use "is intermittent" to describe something that stops and starts at intervals. For example, "The rain "is intermittent" today" or "The WiFi signal "is intermittent" in this area".

What's a formal alternative to "is intermittent"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "occurs sporadically", "happens periodically", or "exhibits discontinuity" instead of "is intermittent".

What words are similar to "is intermittent"?

Similar words include "sporadic", "periodic", "irregular", and "discontinuous", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "is intermittently"?

While grammatically possible, it's more common and often clearer to use "is intermittent". Using "is intermittently" usually requires rephrasing the sentence to incorporate an action verb. For example, instead of "The power is intermittently available", you might say "The power is available intermittently".