may be intermittently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be intermittently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs at irregular intervals or not consistently. Example: "The internet connection may be intermittently unstable during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

During this window some Internet2 sites may be intermittently unreachable.

Cornell University

The sidewalk may be intermittently closed during construction.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Some Internet2 sites may be intermittently unreachable during the maintenance window.

Cornell University

During the installation window, the connections between the WCM internal network and the internet may be intermittently unavailable.

Cornell University

The Vassar Street sidewalk may be intermittently closed while a vacuum truck is parked next to the fence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This approach may be intermittently entertaining, but it tells us little about religion in general or about religion in America.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

These session guarantees were developed in the context of the Bayou project at Xerox PARC in which we are designing and building a replicated storage system to support the needs of mobile computing users who may be only intermittently connected.

Cornell University

Adults will use a high-pitched peep that may be made intermittently with reels as a contact call to birds that are more distant.

Wikipedia

Paralytic agents, when administered, may be given intermittently by bolus or continuous intravenous infusion.

Critical Care

Readings may be taken intermittently by blood sampling and co-oximetry, or continuously with a spectrophotometric catheter.

Critical Care

However, as with many observational studies, the degree of patient compliance in using the prescribed medication cannot be ascertained, particularly when a product may be used intermittently.

Drug Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be intermittently", ensure the context clearly indicates the unpredictable nature of the occurrence. Avoid using it for events that are consistently predictable or continuous.

Common error

Avoid using "may be intermittently" to describe processes or phenomena that are known to occur continuously or regularly. It's best reserved for situations where the occurrence is truly sporadic or unpredictable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be intermittently" functions as an adverbial modifier expressing a degree of uncertainty and irregularity. It modifies a verb phrase, indicating that an action or state occurs occasionally and without a fixed pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be intermittently" is a useful phrase for expressing that something occurs irregularly or unpredictably. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including academia, news, and science. While alternatives like "might be sporadic" or "could be periodic" exist, "may be intermittently" offers a specific nuance of uncertain frequency. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its intended meaning to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be sporadic

This alternative suggests irregular and infrequent occurrences.

could be periodic

This implies occurrences at generally regular intervals, though the intervals may be somewhat unpredictable.

can be occasional

This suggests that something happens from time to time without a fixed pattern.

might occur sporadically

This phrase suggests irregular instances that are scattered or isolated.

could happen periodically

Similar to 'could be periodic', this implies occurrences at somewhat predictable intervals.

can arise occasionally

This indicates that something comes up or appears from time to time.

might materialize sporadically

This suggests something appearing or becoming evident in an unpredictable manner.

could crop up periodically

This phrase refers to something unexpected that occurs at more or less regular intervals.

can surface occasionally

This implies something coming to the surface or becoming visible from time to time.

might flare up sporadically

This alternative describes instances that suddenly become active or intense in an irregular manner.

FAQs

How can I use "may be intermittently" in a sentence?

Use "may be intermittently" to describe something that happens at irregular intervals. For example: "The website "may be intermittently" unavailable due to maintenance."

What are some alternatives to "may be intermittently"?

Alternatives include "might be sporadic", "could be periodic", or "can be occasional" depending on the desired nuance.

Which is correct: "may be intermittently" or "is intermittently"?

"May be intermittently" suggests a possibility of something occurring irregularly, while "is intermittently" indicates that something definitively happens irregularly. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the certainty of the occurrence.

What's the difference between "may be intermittently" and "often is"?

"May be intermittently" suggests irregular and unpredictable occurrences, whereas "often is" indicates that something happens frequently but not necessarily at regular intervals. The former emphasizes unpredictability, and the latter emphasizes high frequency.