regular intervals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regular intervals" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe actions or events that occur at consistent, predictable times. Example: "The train arrives at regular intervals throughout the day." Alternative expressions include "consistent intervals" and "fixed intervals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Repeat at regular intervals.

The Guardian - Travel

// synapses at regular intervals.

Yale University

and sampled at regular intervals.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

She checks her email at regular intervals.

Independent

They are replaced at regular intervals".

The New York Times

But can lavish attention at regular intervals.

The Guardian

Gospel references come at regular intervals.

The Guardian - Books

"Their saccades occur at large regular intervals".

The New Yorker

The samples were weighed at regular intervals.

Carbon

At regular intervals the hearing took a theatrical turn.

The Guardian

Billboards approached at regular intervals, like incoming waves.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing schedules or routines, use "regular intervals" to clearly convey consistent timing. For example, "Medications should be taken at regular intervals."

Common error

Avoid using "regular intervals" when you mean something happens often but not necessarily at fixed times. Use phrases like "frequently" or "often" instead. The key is to maintain "predictability", in frequency but not necessarily in time. For example, instead of saying "Mistakes occurred at regular intervals", you could say "Mistakes occurred frequently" if they weren't actually spaced evenly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regular intervals" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify when an action or event occurs. As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates actions or events happening with consistent timing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "regular intervals" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to indicate that events or actions occur at consistent, predictable times. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "at consistent times" or "periodically" exist, "regular intervals" clearly conveys the idea of consistent timing. Remember to reserve it for situations where timing is truly consistent and not just frequent. With a strong expert rating, this phrase is a reliable choice for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at consistent times

This alternative emphasizes the consistency of the timing.

at fixed periods

This alternative highlights the immutability of the timeframes.

at set times

This option focuses on pre-arranged and scheduled timing.

periodically

This is a shorter, adverbial form emphasizing recurrence.

at recurring times

This alternative underlines the repetitive nature of the timing.

on a schedule

This phrase highlights the planned nature of the timing.

at predictable times

This alternative stresses the foreseeability of the timing.

according to a timetable

This alternative suggests a more formal or structured schedule.

at uniform frequencies

This alternative is more technical, highlighting the consistency in frequency.

every so often

This informal alternative implies less precision in the timing.

FAQs

How can I use "regular intervals" in a sentence?

You can use "regular intervals" to describe events that occur at consistent, predictable times, such as "The bus service operates at "regular intervals" throughout the day".

What are some alternatives to saying "regular intervals"?

Alternatives include phrases like "consistent times", "fixed periods", or "periodically", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it correct to use "at regular intervals" or "in regular intervals"?

The correct and more common usage is "at regular intervals". Using "in regular intervals" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "regular intervals" and "frequent intervals"?

"Regular intervals" implies that the time between occurrences is consistent, while "frequent intervals" simply means occurrences happen often, without necessarily being evenly spaced. For example, "The doctor checked on the patient at "regular intervals"" means the checks were evenly timed, while "The doctor checked on the patient at frequent intervals" means the checks happened often but not necessarily on a set schedule.