to fluctuate between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to fluctuate between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where something varies or changes between two or more states or conditions. Example: "The stock prices tend to fluctuate between highs and lows throughout the trading day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Dr. Bielory said he expected most daily levels to fluctuate between 10 and 30 for the rest of September.

The New York Times

What is most striking among these writers is that they seem not to fluctuate between two practices, but to experience them as components of a coherent whole.

The Guardian - Books

Or the recommendations on when to get a mammogram, which seem to fluctuate between every five years and every five minutes.

The New York Times

In 1989-2004, says Goldman Sachs, write-offs among the firms included in the S&P 500 index tended to fluctuate between 5% and 15% of total reported earnings per share (EPS) each year.

The Economist

With an unemployment rate estimated by the Ministry of Labor and Employment to fluctuate between 60percentand80percentcent, young people are wondering what to do with their lives while such industries as textiles, agriculture and mining recover from the war or long-term neglect, even as they are bracing themselves for the introduction of a market economy.

The New York Times

Patients' feelings tend to fluctuate between a sense of insecurity and one of security.

Journal of Radiology Nursing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Mr Clegg's rating jumped from just under 20% to fluctuating between 28% and 33% after the three televised leader debates before the British general election, but his TV appearance didn't translate into as many votes as he might have hoped - the Lib Dems went from 62 seats to 57.

BBC

Target scintillation causes the location of the global maximum to strongly fluctuate between range profiles.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

"Fatal Shore," his epic 1987 history of Australia – which he left in the mid-1960s and where his reputation seemed to fluctuate wildly between hero and traitor – became an international best seller.

The New York Times

Freddie Dawson notes that a recent study from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry suggests the value of the Indian newspaper industry has in fact grown by two-thirds in the past six years, and, according to KPMG, is predicted to fluctuate comfortably between 12 and 14percentt for the next several years.

TechCrunch

In these short paragraphs however, I would like to fluctuate instead between the waves and traces of the 'transcendent realm' that Weber points to which still, very much, permeates our society.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes or variations, use "to fluctuate between" to indicate movement within specific limits. This suggests a dynamic process where something doesn't remain static but stays within a defined range.

Common error

Avoid using "to fluctuate between" when describing qualities or states that don't have a quantifiable range. For instance, it's less accurate to say "emotions fluctuate between happiness and sadness" (better: "alternate" or "range") because happiness and sadness don't represent numerical boundaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to fluctuate between" functions as a verb phrase indicating a dynamic state of variation within defined limits. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and widely applicable in English writing. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts, describing changes in temperature, prices, and even emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to fluctuate between" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe variation within defined limits. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and examples demonstrate usage across varied contexts like science, news, and general knowledge. While generally neutral in tone, its frequency in scientific and news media highlights its importance in describing dynamic processes. When using "to fluctuate between", ensure that the entities involved have a quantifiable range; consider alternatives like "to alternate between" when describing non-numerical or less defined scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to oscillate between

Replaces "fluctuate" with "oscillate", suggesting a more regular, rhythmic movement between two states.

to vary from

Focuses on the range of variation, rather than the dynamic movement, between two limits.

to alternate between

Suggests a sequential back-and-forth movement between distinct options.

to range from

Highlights the span or extent of values or conditions observed.

to swing between

Implies a pendulum-like motion, suggesting a more forceful or emotional shift.

to waver between

Emphasizes uncertainty or indecision while changing between options.

to shift between

Highlights a change in position or state, often implying a deliberate choice.

to seesaw between

Like a seesaw it emphasize balance shifts up and down between two.

to go back and forth between

This phrase emphasizes the iterative and sometimes repetitive nature of the changes.

to cycle between

Highlights the changes as part of a recurrent pattern.

FAQs

How do you use "to fluctuate between" in a sentence?

Use "to fluctuate between" to describe something that varies within specific limits. For example, "The temperature tends "to fluctuate between" 20 and 30 degrees Celsius during the day."

What can I say instead of "to fluctuate between"?

You can use alternatives like "to oscillate between", "to vary from", or "to alternate between" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "to fluctuate from" instead of "to fluctuate between"?

While ""to fluctuate between"" specifies a range with defined limits, "to fluctuate from" is less precise. It's better to use "to fluctuate between" when indicating a clear upper and lower bound.

What's the difference between "to vary between" and "to fluctuate between"?

"To vary between" simply indicates difference within a range. "To fluctuate between" implies a more dynamic, rhythmic change or oscillation within that range.