is intermittently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is intermittently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs at irregular intervals or not continuously. Example: "The system is intermittently experiencing outages, causing disruptions in service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vernon is intermittently specific.

The New Yorker

The core material, though, is intermittently compelling.

The New York Times

But the picture is, intermittently, delightful to contemplate.

The New York Times

As Odette-Odile, Ms. Kochetkova is intermittently successful.

The New York Times - Arts

As a spectacle, it is intermittently good fun.

The Guardian

Its economy is dependent upon agriculture, which is intermittently destroyed by hurricanes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Septic tank effluent is intermittently pumped from a chamber and applied to the mound.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And reality, though it dominates, is intermittently pierced by fantasy and dream.

The New Yorker

Eccentric, poetic, both high-minded and tough-minded, this novella is intermittently successful.

The New York Times - Books

The collection is intermittently haunted by Brackenbury's forebears and the wars they survived.

The Guardian - Books

But like a megaphone, it is intermittently capable of crude power and effectiveness.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is intermittently" to accurately describe events or conditions that start and stop at irregular intervals, adding precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is intermittently" when a simpler word like "sometimes" or "occasionally" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

Is intermittently functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, indicating that the action or state it describes occurs at irregular intervals. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, describing how something happens or exists in a non-continuous manner. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is intermittently" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that describes actions or states occurring at irregular intervals. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, though more formal than simpler alternatives like "sometimes". Ludwig examples show its frequent use in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. When writing, consider whether the precision of "is intermittently" is necessary, or if a more common term would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurs sporadically

Changes the verb and emphasizes the irregular occurrence but retains the core meaning.

happens occasionally

Uses a simpler verb to convey infrequent occurrence.

is sometimes

Replaces "intermittently" with a more general term for occasional events.

occurs now and then

Emphasizes the non-continuous nature of the event.

is periodic

Indicates recurrence at possibly regular, but spaced, intervals.

is on and off

Informal way of describing intermittent action or state.

is not constant

Highlights the lack of continuous presence or action.

is uneven

Describes the irregularity or inconsistency of something.

is patchy

Suggests that something is present in some areas but not in others, implying irregularity.

is fitful

Emphasizes the irregular and restless nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

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

Use "is intermittently" to describe something that happens at irregular intervals. For example: "The internet connection "is intermittently" available today".

What's a good alternative to "is intermittently"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "occurs sporadically", "happens occasionally", or "is sometimes".

Is it more formal to use "is intermittently" or "is sometimes"?

"Is intermittently" is generally more formal than "is sometimes". Choose the phrase that best suits the tone and audience of your writing.

What is the difference between "is intermittently" and "is constantly"?

"Is intermittently" describes something that stops and starts, while "is constantly" describes something that happens continuously without stopping.