on intermittent basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on intermittent basis" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "on an intermittent basis." You can use it to describe something that occurs at irregular intervals rather than continuously. Example: "The maintenance will be performed on an intermittent basis to ensure the equipment remains in good working order."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Do you take medication for any other problem on a regular on intermittent basis?

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Based on the overall quality of washed broccoli sprouts, the optimum sprout washing (on intermittent basis) time using the AEW was found to be 20 s.

LWT

Traction is performed on intermittent basis only after having clearly gained medial to lateral orientation inside the spinal canal.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As described in the previous section, the arrangement of STEGH by visiting partners independent of one another and on an intermittent basis with a single host partner results in limitations to STEGH outcomes, particularly around effectiveness and sustainability.

Globalization and Health

In general, programs that mobilize multiple visiting teams to work with multiple local partners on an intermittent basis are rare and would likely fall into one of the other categories already described.

Globalization and Health

TGS also welcomed an enhanced intelligence-sharing program on an intermittent basis tied to specific Turkish operations.

The Guardian

The city is also negotiating with churches and synagogues to make regularly available the 500 beds they now provide on an intermittent basis.

The New York Times

Mr. Malik's lawyer, Ronald L. Kuby, who is seeking to have his conviction overturned, said: "Using a man like Rayquan Shabazz to be a roving informer on an intermittent basis is prosecutorial misconduct.

The New York Times

They inspect outbound vehicles only "on an intermittent basis," says Roger Maier, a spokesman for U.S. Customs & Border Protection in El Paso, Tex.

Forbes

Very little has been done in terms of scientifically studying the differences in scope of practice of a specialist in transfusion medicine compared to a clinician who deals with blood transfusion on an intermittent basis.

Transfusion and Apheresis Science

I would, on an intermittent basis, work out of a newsroom that appeared to be in a state of constant churn.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the grammatically correct form, "on an intermittent basis", to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the article "an" before "intermittent". Remember to use "on an intermittent basis", not "on intermittent basis", to adhere to standard English grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on intermittent basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how frequently an action occurs. However, it is grammatically incorrect, requiring the article 'an' to be "on an intermittent basis". As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "on intermittent basis" is understandable, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "on an intermittent basis". As Ludwig AI points out, including the article "an" is essential for standard English. This phrase is used to describe occurrences that are not regular or continuous, often in contexts such as science, news, and general discussions. For more formal or concise writing, consider alternatives like "sporadically" or "at irregular intervals". Remember to always prioritize grammatical accuracy to maintain professionalism and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at irregular intervals

This alternative uses a different preposition and noun to convey the same meaning but is more descriptive, altering the word choice while maintaining semantic equivalence.

from time to time

This is an idiomatic expression meaning 'sometimes, but not regularly', offering a more colloquial substitute.

irregularly

This replaces the phrase with a single adverb, emphasizing the lack of a fixed pattern.

sporadically

This alternative replaces the phrase with a single adverb, indicating irregular occurrence. It changes the structure for brevity and conciseness.

off and on

This idiomatic phrase means 'not continuously or regularly', providing a more informal and concise option.

now and then

This expression uses common adverbs to convey occasional happenings, offering a more casual alternative.

occasionally

This substitutes the entire phrase with an adverb that means 'sometimes' or 'now and then', which simplifies the expression.

periodically

This alternative uses an adverb to describe actions happening at set intervals, which could be less random than "on intermittent basis".

on a fluctuating schedule

This option highlights the changing nature of the schedule, implying unpredictability.

with occasional interruptions

This suggests that something is happening mostly continuously but with some breaks, focusing on the breaks rather than the randomness.

FAQs

How do I properly use the phrase "on an intermittent basis" in a sentence?

Use "on an intermittent basis" to describe actions or events that occur irregularly or sporadically. For instance, "The system will be checked "on an intermittent basis" to ensure optimal performance."

What's the correct way to say something happens sometimes but not regularly?

Instead of the grammatically incorrect "on intermittent basis", use phrases like "at irregular intervals", "sporadically", or the correct form, ""on an intermittent basis"".

Is there a difference between "on intermittent basis" and "on a regular basis"?

Yes, "on a regular basis" implies consistent and predictable occurrence, whereas the correct phrase, "on an intermittent basis", indicates irregular or sporadic occurrence.

What are some alternative phrases to "on an intermittent basis" that I can use in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "periodically", "at irregular intervals", or "sporadically" to maintain clarity and precision.