occurs intermittently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occurs intermittently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or phenomenon that happens at irregular intervals rather than continuously. Example: "The power outages in the area occur intermittently, causing disruptions to daily activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

During copulation, which occurs intermittently throughout the lives of the king and queen, sperm are transferred and stored in the spermatheca of the female.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This process occurs intermittently, as fiber formation still remains a dominant process and consequently leads to the typical 'beads on a string' morphology described for a variety of different polymer-solvent systems (Figure 3) [28].

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Breeds occurs intermittently in the Faroes.

Wikipedia

In swine, bacteremia occurs intermittently for several weeks.

BioMed Research International

For example, ingestion occurs intermittently and only during waking hours.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Moreover, fecal shedding occurs intermittently and healthy carrier birds might not excrete bacteria for >1 year.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The finding on intermittent symptoms emerged during analysis we did not ask specifically whether symptoms occurred intermittently.

BMJ Open

Raids have occurred intermittently ever since.

The New Yorker

Patches of living framework occur intermittently.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Serious regional bleaching has occurred intermittently since the 1983 disaster.

The New York Times - Science

These you-and-your-book passages, which occur intermittently throughout the novel, aren't particularly funny, compared with other parts.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occurs intermittently", ensure the context provides enough information about the typical frequency or conditions under which the event happens, if known. This adds clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "occurs intermittently" when you actually mean something happens rarely or very frequently. Intermittent implies a somewhat irregular but noticeable pattern, not extreme rarity or constant presence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occurs intermittently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action or event happens at irregular intervals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "occurs intermittently" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that describes events happening at irregular intervals. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its usability spans across various contexts, with a heavier presence in scientific and news media sources. When writing, ensure you're accurately conveying a non-continuous pattern and consider alternatives like "happens sporadically" for slight variations in emphasis. Pay attention to the level of formality and use the phrase accurately to prevent misunderstandings about frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happens sporadically

Emphasizes the unpredictable nature and lack of a regular pattern.

occurs sporadically

Similar to "happens sporadically" but maintains the "occurs" verb.

takes place occasionally

Suggests events that are not frequent but do happen from time to time.

happens at intervals

Focuses on the existence of gaps between occurrences.

occurs periodically

Implies a somewhat regular, though not continuous, pattern of occurrence.

takes place at irregular intervals

More detailed, specifying that the intervals between occurrences are not uniform.

happens off and on

Indicates a lack of consistency and a pattern of starting and stopping.

occurs now and then

Suggests infrequent and irregular appearances.

happens from time to time

Highlights the occasional nature of the event.

manifests sporadically

More formal, suggesting a phenomenon that appears unpredictably.

FAQs

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

Use "occurs intermittently" to describe an event that happens at irregular intervals. For example, "The pain "occurs intermittently", making it difficult to predict when medication is needed."

What are some alternatives to "occurs intermittently"?

You can use alternatives such as "happens sporadically", "takes place occasionally", or "occurs periodically" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "occurs intermittently" or "happens intermittently"?

"Occurs intermittently" is slightly more formal than "happens intermittently", but both are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the tone of your writing.

What is the difference between "occurs intermittently" and "occurs frequently"?

"Occurs intermittently" means something happens at irregular intervals, while "occurs frequently" means something happens often. The key difference is the regularity and frequency of the event.