Infrequent vs. Intermittently

Attribute	Infrequent	Intermittently
Occurrence	Not happening often	Happening at irregular intervals
Consistency	Not regular or predictable	Not continuous or steady
Frequency	Low frequency	Irregular frequency
Duration	Short duration	Duration varies

Definition

Infrequent and intermittently are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. Infrequent refers to something that does not occur often or at regular intervals. It implies a low frequency or occurrence rate. On the other hand, intermittently refers to something that occurs at irregular intervals or with breaks in between. It suggests a pattern of starting and stopping or on-and-off occurrences.

Frequency

One of the key differences between infrequent and intermittently is the frequency of occurrence. Infrequent events happen rarely or seldom, with long gaps in between. For example, a rare astronomical event like a comet passing by Earth would be considered infrequent. On the other hand, events that happen intermittently occur at irregular intervals, with periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity. An example of this would be a flickering light bulb that turns on and off sporadically.

Consistency

Another difference between infrequent and intermittently is the consistency of occurrence. Infrequent events are characterized by their lack of regularity and predictability. They may happen randomly or unpredictably, making it difficult to anticipate when they will occur. In contrast, events that happen intermittently have a pattern of occurrence, even if it is not consistent. There is a rhythm or cycle to their occurrences, with breaks or pauses in between.

Duration

When comparing infrequent and intermittently, it is important to consider the duration of the occurrences. Infrequent events may be brief or prolonged, but the key characteristic is their rarity. They may happen for a short period of time before disappearing for a long time. Intermittent events, on the other hand, have a specific duration for each occurrence, followed by a break or pause before the next occurrence. This pattern of starting and stopping sets them apart from infrequent events.

Examples

To better understand the differences between infrequent and intermittently, let's look at some examples. An infrequent event could be a blue moon, which occurs once in a blue moon (hence the expression). It is a rare occurrence that happens infrequently. On the other hand, an intermittent event could be a car engine that sputters and stalls intermittently. It starts and stops at irregular intervals, making it difficult to predict when it will happen.

Impact

The impact of infrequent and intermittent occurrences can vary depending on the context. Infrequent events may have a significant impact when they do occur due to their rarity. People may pay more attention to them or find them more memorable because of their infrequency. Intermittent events, on the other hand, may have a more subtle impact due to their on-and-off nature. They may be frustrating or annoying, but they may not stand out as much as infrequent events.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while infrequent and intermittently are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and characteristics. Infrequent events happen rarely or seldom, with long gaps in between, while intermittent events occur at irregular intervals, with breaks in between. Understanding the differences between these two terms can help clarify their usage and implications in various contexts.