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A1 noun #4,443 most common 9 min read

interval

Top 4,443

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips interval in 30 Seconds

Explanation interval in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of an interval as a simple 'break' or 'gap.' Imagine you are at a movie or a play. After one hour, the lights come on, and you can go get some popcorn. This time is the interval. It is a time when the action stops for a little while. You can also see intervals in your daily life. If you see a bus come every 10 minutes, there is a 10-minute interval between buses. It is a very useful word to describe when things happen again and again with a little wait in the middle. You don't need to know the difficult math or music meanings yet. Just remember: interval = a short break or a gap between two things.

At the A2 level, you start to use interval to describe routines and schedules. You might notice that your clock pings at one-hour intervals. This means it pings at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and so on. The 'interval' is the one hour of waiting. You can also use it to talk about distance. For example, if you are walking in a park, you might see benches at regular intervals. This means there is a bench, then some space, then another bench, and the space is always the same. It helps you describe how things are organized. You might also hear it in sports, like 'interval training,' which is a popular way to exercise by running fast and then walking.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using interval in more formal contexts, such as the theater or music. You understand that an interval is a structured pause. In a concert, the interval is the scheduled break between the first and second halves. In music theory, you might learn that an interval is the difference in pitch between two notes. If you play 'C' and then 'G,' the 'distance' between those sounds is an interval. You can also use it to describe periods of time in a narrative, such as 'After an interval of several weeks, he finally replied to my letter.' This sounds more professional than just saying 'After a few weeks.'

At the B2 level, interval becomes a precise tool for description. You use it in technical and academic settings. For instance, in a science experiment, you might record data at 30-second intervals. This shows you are measuring things accurately. You also understand the nuance between 'interval' and 'intermission.' You might discuss 'confidence intervals' in a basic statistics class, which refers to a range of likely values. You can use the word to describe more abstract gaps, such as an 'interval of peace' in a busy day or a 'long interval of silence' during a conversation that adds dramatic tension. You are aware of the word's flexibility across different domains.

At the C1 level, you recognize interval as a word that defines structure and rhythm in both time and space. You might use it in literary analysis to discuss the 'intervals' between chapters or scenes and how they affect the pacing of a story. In professional writing, you use 'at regular intervals' or 'at frequent intervals' to describe systemic processes. You are also familiar with more specialized uses, such as in mathematics where an interval is a set of real numbers with the property that any number that lies between two numbers in the set is also included in the set. Your usage is precise, and you choose 'interval' over 'gap' or 'break' to convey a sense of formality or technical accuracy.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of interval. You use it to describe complex relationships in music, physics, and philosophy. You might discuss the 'intervallic' structure of a complex musical composition or the 'space-time interval' in relativistic physics. You can use the word metaphorically to describe the 'intervals' of human experience—the pauses and transitions that define a person's life. Your understanding goes beyond the physical gap to the conceptual significance of what happens in that gap. You can navigate the subtle differences between 'interval,' 'hiatus,' 'lacuna,' and 'interstice,' choosing the exact term needed for a sophisticated audience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

interval in 30 Seconds

An interval is a gap in time or space between two points or events, often occurring in a repeating or scheduled pattern.
In the UK, it specifically refers to the break between the acts of a play, opera, or concert performance.
In music, it is the distance in pitch between two notes, and in fitness, it relates to alternating work and rest periods.
Commonly used with the preposition 'at' (e.g., at regular intervals) to describe the frequency or spacing of objects and events.

The word interval is a versatile noun that primarily refers to the space or time that exists between two distinct points. At its most fundamental level, it describes a 'gap.' Whether you are waiting for the second half of a play to start or measuring the distance between fence posts, you are dealing with an interval. In everyday English, we most frequently use it to describe time, particularly when an activity stops and then restarts after a short break.

Temporal Interval: This refers to a duration of time. For example, 'The buses run at ten-minute intervals,' meaning there is a ten-minute wait between each bus arrival.

We decided to grab a drink during the interval of the theater performance.

In British English, 'interval' is the standard word for what Americans usually call an 'intermission' in a theater or concert setting. It is that twenty-minute window where the lights come up, and the audience stretches their legs. Beyond the theater, 'interval' is a key term in fitness and music. In fitness, 'interval training' involves alternating between high-intensity exercise and periods of rest. In music, an 'interval' is the difference in pitch between two notes.

Spatial Interval: This refers to physical distance. 'The trees were planted at regular intervals along the driveway' implies they were spaced out evenly.

The alarm clock was set to ring at five-minute intervals to ensure I woke up.

In mathematical and scientific contexts, an interval represents all the numbers between two specific values. For instance, a 'confidence interval' in statistics provides a range of values that likely contains the true value of a population parameter. This technical usage maintains the core concept of a bounded space or time period.

Musical Interval: The distance between two notes, such as a 'major third' or a 'perfect fifth,' is called an interval. It determines the harmony or melody.

The athlete focused on high-intensity interval training to improve her stamina.

There was a long interval of silence before he finally answered the question.

Ultimately, whether you are discussing the gap between heartbeats, the break in a movie, or the distance between telegraph poles, 'interval' is the precise word for that intervening space. It is a fundamental concept in organizing time and space in our daily lives.

Using the word interval correctly requires understanding its role as a countable noun. Because it describes a specific gap, it often appears with adjectives like 'short,' 'long,' 'regular,' or 'brief.' It is also frequently found in prepositional phrases, especially starting with 'at' or 'during.'

At Regular Intervals: This is perhaps the most common phrase. It means something happens repeatedly with the same amount of time or space between each occurrence. 'Check the oven at regular intervals.'

The patient was given fluids at two-hour intervals throughout the night.

When referring to a break in a performance, use 'the' or 'an.' For example, 'I'll meet you in the lobby during the interval.' Note that in American English, you would likely replace 'interval' with 'intermission' in this specific context, though 'interval' is still understood.

Interval of [Time]: You can specify the length of the gap. 'An interval of six months passed before they met again.' This emphasizes the duration of the wait.

There was only a short interval between the lightning and the thunder.

In scientific writing, 'interval' is used to define ranges. 'The temperature remained within a narrow interval of 20 to 22 degrees.' Here, it acts as a synonym for 'range' or 'bracket.' In sports, particularly running or swimming, 'intervals' refers to the sets themselves. 'I have a session of 400m intervals today.'

After an Interval: Used to describe what happens once a pause is over. 'After a brief interval, the speaker continued her presentation.'

The lights in the hallway flash at three-second intervals when the alarm is triggered.

The musical piece is characterized by wide intervals that are difficult for the singer to reach.

Remember that 'interval' is a noun. If you need an adjective, you might use 'intermittent' (happening at intervals) or 'interval-based.' However, 'interval' itself is often used as a noun adjunct in phrases like 'interval training' or 'interval timer.'

You will encounter the word interval in several specific real-world environments. Understanding these contexts helps you recognize the nuances of the word beyond its dictionary definition.

At the Theater or Cinema: In the UK, Australia, and many other English-speaking regions, an announcement might say, 'There will be a twenty-minute interval after the first act.' This is the time for snacks and restrooms.

During the interval, ice cream is sold in the foyer.

In the world of fitness and sports, 'interval' is a buzzword. Trainers talk about 'HIIT' (High-Intensity Interval Training). Here, the 'interval' refers to both the period of work and the period of rest. You might hear a coach shout, 'Ready for the next interval?' or see a gym timer set for 'work/rest intervals.'

On Public Transport: Train and bus schedules often use this word. A digital sign might read, 'Trains are running at 5-minute intervals during peak hours.' This tells you the frequency of the service.

The software updates the data at one-second intervals to ensure accuracy.

In music lessons, teachers use the word constantly. Students must learn to identify 'melodic intervals' (one note after another) and 'harmonic intervals' (two notes at once). It's a foundational part of music theory that describes the distance between pitches.

In Science and Math: Scientists measure intervals between pulses, heartbeats, or seismic waves. In math, an 'interval' is a set of real numbers between two endpoints.

The experiment recorded the temperature change over a ten-minute interval.

Lastly, in casual conversation, 'interval' can sound a bit formal but is used to describe a break in a long process. 'We had a brief interval of peace before the kids came home from school.' It adds a bit of descriptive weight to the pause.

While interval is a relatively straightforward word, learners often confuse it with other terms related to time and gaps. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your English sound more natural and precise.

Interval vs. Intermission: In the context of a show, 'interval' is British/International English, while 'intermission' is American English. Using 'intermission' in London or 'interval' in New York is perfectly understood, but using the local term is more idiomatic.

Incorrect: There was a long interval between the car and the truck. (Better: distance/gap)

A frequent mistake is using 'interval' when you simply mean 'distance' or 'gap' in a non-repeating physical context. While 'interval' can mean spatial distance, it usually implies a series or a regular pattern. If there's just one space between two objects, 'gap' or 'distance' is often better.

Interval vs. Period: A 'period' is a length of time during which something happens. An 'interval' is the time *between* things happening. Example: 'The class period is 50 minutes. The interval between classes is 10 minutes.'

Incorrect: We intervaled the chairs. Correct: We placed the chairs at regular intervals.

Another error is confusing 'interval' with 'duration.' Duration is the total time something lasts. An interval is specifically the break or the gap. If you say 'the interval of the movie was two hours,' people will think the *break* lasted two hours, not the movie itself.

Interval vs. Break: 'Break' is informal and used for almost anything (lunch break, coffee break). 'Interval' is more formal and usually implies a structured or measured gap.

Incorrect: At the interval of ten meters, there was a tree. Correct: At intervals of ten meters, there were trees.

Grammatically, remember pluralization. If you are talking about a repeating pattern, use 'intervals' (plural). If you are talking about one specific break in a play, use 'the interval' (singular).

To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that share a similar meaning with interval but carry different connotations or are used in different settings.

Gap: A 'gap' is a more general and informal word for a space or an opening. It can be physical ('a gap in the fence') or metaphorical ('a gap in knowledge'). Unlike 'interval,' it doesn't always imply a regular pattern.

The interval between the two events was surprisingly short.

'Intermission' is the direct equivalent in American English for a break in a performance. 'Pause' is a short cessation of action, often in speech or music. 'Hiatus' is a more formal word for a long break or gap in a series of events or a career ('The band went on a three-year hiatus').

Interlude: An 'interlude' is a period of time that is different from what comes before and after. It often has a more artistic or pleasant connotation than 'interval.' For example, a 'musical interlude' is a piece of music played between acts.

The runners were separated by a ten-second interval.

In a spatial sense, 'spacing' or 'distance' can replace 'interval.' 'The spacing between the rows was too narrow.' In a temporal sense, 'span' or 'stretch' might work. 'A span of five years' covers the whole time, whereas 'an interval of five years' emphasizes the time between two specific points.

Lapse: A 'lapse' usually refers to a passage of time where something fails or stops. 'A lapse in concentration' or 'a time lapse.' It often has a slightly negative connotation compared to the neutral 'interval.'

The intervals of the song are very catchy and easy to remember.

Finally, 'breather' is a very informal slang term for a short interval of rest. 'Let's take a quick breather before we finish the project.' Choosing the right synonym depends entirely on the formality of the situation and the specific type of gap you are describing.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word originally described a physical wall in a Roman camp, but over centuries, it moved from describing physical space to describing time.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɪntəv(ə)l/

US /ˈɪntərv(ə)l/

IN-ter-val

Rhymes With

festival estival archival arrival survival revival retrieval upheaval

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'in-TER-val' (wrong stress).
Skipping the second syllable 'ter' entirely.
Confusing the spelling with 'intervel'.
Using 'interval' when 'intermission' is expected in US contexts.
Treating it as a verb.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Common in schedules and news.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct preposition use (at/during).

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce but stress the first syllable.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but watch for British vs American usage.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

time space break between wait

Learn Next

intermission duration frequency intermittent consecutive

Advanced

interstice lacuna hiatus stochastic periodicity

Grammar to Know

Prepositions of Frequency

Use 'at' with 'intervals' to describe frequency: 'At ten-minute intervals.'

Nouns as Adjectives

In 'interval training,' the noun 'interval' acts as an adjective.

Countable Nouns

Always use 'an' or a plural form because it is countable.

Preposition 'During'

Use 'during' to talk about the time *within* the break: 'During the interval.'

Adjective Placement

Adjectives like 'regular' or 'short' go before 'interval'.

Examples by Level

There is a short interval during the movie.

Il y a un court entracte pendant le film.

Singular noun after 'a'.

The bus comes at ten-minute intervals.

Le bus passe à des intervalles de dix minutes.

Plural noun in a frequency phrase.

We had a drink in the interval.

Nous avons pris un verre pendant l'entracte.

Preposition 'in' or 'during' can be used.

The bells ring at regular intervals.

Les cloches sonnent à intervalles réguliers.

Adjective 'regular' describes the noun.

Wait for a short interval before starting.

Attendez un court intervalle avant de commencer.

Countable noun.

The interval was twenty minutes long.

L'entracte a duré vingt minutes.

Subject of the sentence.

There were trees at five-meter intervals.

Il y avait des arbres tous les cinq mètres.

Spatial usage.

I like the interval in the concert.

J'aime l'entracte pendant le concert.

Direct object.

The timer beeps at one-minute intervals.

Le minuteur bipe à intervalles d'une minute.

Describes frequency.

The athlete does interval training every day.

L'athlète fait de l'entraînement fractionné tous les jours.

Compound noun 'interval training'.

Check the baby at regular intervals.

Vérifiez le bébé à intervalles réguliers.

Imperative sentence.

The lights flash at short intervals.

Les lumières clignotent à courts intervalles.

Plural form.

There was a long interval of silence.

Il y a eu un long intervalle de silence.

'Interval of [noun]' pattern.

The train stations are at two-mile intervals.

Les gares sont distantes de deux miles.

Spatial distance.

After a brief interval, the rain started again.

Après un bref intervalle, la pluie a recommencé.

Introductory phrase.

The doctor checked my pulse at intervals.

Le médecin a vérifié mon pouls par intervalles.

Adverbial phrase.

The musical interval between the notes was a fifth.

L'intervalle musical entre les notes était une quinte.

Technical musical term.

She returned to work after a six-month interval.

Elle est retournée au travail après un intervalle de six mois.

Time span between events.

The play has one interval of fifteen minutes.

La pièce a un entracte de quinze minutes.

Specific break duration.

The data was recorded at hourly intervals.

Les données ont été enregistrées à des intervalles d'une heure.

Adverbial 'hourly' modifying the interval.

There are short intervals of sun between the clouds.

Il y a de courts intervalles de soleil entre les nuages.

Metaphorical/Visual gap.

The fence posts are placed at equal intervals.

Les poteaux de clôture sont placés à intervalles égaux.

Focus on equality/regularity.

We met again after an interval of many years.

Nous nous sommes revus après un intervalle de plusieurs années.

Formal time description.

The interval gave us time to discuss the first act.

L'entracte nous a donné le temps de discuter du premier acte.

Subject performing an action.

The survey was conducted at three-year intervals to track changes.

L'enquête a été menée à des intervalles de trois ans pour suivre les changements.

Research context.

A confidence interval of 95% was used in the study.

Un intervalle de confiance de 95 % a été utilisé dans l'étude.

Statistical term.

The runners started at staggered intervals to avoid crowding.

Les coureurs ont pris le départ à des intervalles échelonnés pour éviter l'encombrement.

Describing organization.

There was a noticeable interval before the echo returned.

Il y avait un intervalle notable avant que l'écho ne revienne.

Physical phenomenon.

The piece uses dissonant intervals to create tension.

Le morceau utilise des intervalles dissonants pour créer une tension.

Music theory context.

Maintenance is required at regular intervals to prevent failure.

Un entretien est requis à intervalles réguliers pour éviter les pannes.

Technical necessity.

The interval between the two wars was a period of great change.

L'intervalle entre les deux guerres a été une période de grands changements.

Historical context.

The software samples the audio at very small intervals.

Le logiciel échantillonne l'audio à de très petits intervalles.

Digital/Computing context.

The poet uses the interval between stanzas to shift the mood.

Le poète utilise l'intervalle entre les strophes pour changer l'ambiance.

Literary analysis.

The geological record shows long intervals of stability.

Les archives géologiques montrent de longs intervalles de stabilité.

Scientific scale.

The intervals of silence in the speech were more powerful than the words.

Les intervalles de silence dans le discours étaient plus puissants que les mots.

Rhetorical analysis.

In this mathematical proof, we consider the open interval (0, 1).

Dans cette preuve mathématique, nous considérons l'intervalle ouvert (0, 1).

Mathematical terminology.

The urban plan places green spaces at strategic intervals.

Le plan d'urbanisme place des espaces verts à des intervalles stratégiques.

Planning/Design context.

There was a significant interval of time before the policy took effect.

Il y a eu un intervalle de temps important avant que la politique n'entre en vigueur.

Administrative context.

The composer experimented with microtonal intervals.

Le compositeur a expérimenté des intervalles microtonaux.

Advanced musicology.

The company's growth occurred in sporadic intervals rather than a steady climb.

La croissance de l'entreprise s'est produite par intervalles sporadiques plutôt que par une progression constante.

Business analysis.

The philosopher pondered the interval between perception and reality.

Le philosophe a réfléchi à l'intervalle entre la perception et la réalité.

Philosophical abstraction.

The relativistic interval remains invariant under Lorentz transformations.

L'intervalle relativiste reste invariant sous les transformations de Lorentz.

Theoretical physics.

The narrative's power lies in the unspoken intervals between the characters' dialogues.

La puissance du récit réside dans les intervalles non dits entre les dialogues des personnages.

Advanced literary criticism.

The heartbeat's rhythm is defined by the precise intervals of the cardiac cycle.

Le rythme du battement de cœur est défini par les intervalles précis du cycle cardiaque.

Medical precision.

Societal progress often happens in fitful intervals, punctuated by periods of stagnation.

Le progrès sociétal se produit souvent par intervalles saccadés, ponctués par des périodes de stagnation.

Sociological observation.

The artist used the interval of the canvas to explore the limits of negative space.

L'artiste a utilisé l'intervalle de la toile pour explorer les limites de l'espace négatif.

Art theory.

The algorithm calculates the interval of convergence for the power series.

L'algorithme calcule l'intervalle de convergence pour la série entière.

Computational mathematics.

The history of the universe is marked by intervals of rapid expansion.

L'histoire de l'univers est marquée par des intervalles d'expansion rapide.

Cosmological scale.

Synonyms

gap break pause period interlude space

Antonyms

continuation continuity

Common Collocations

at regular intervals

short interval

long interval

brief interval

ten-minute interval

musical interval

interval training

confidence interval

at frequent intervals

time interval

Common Phrases

during the interval

— While the break is happening.

I'll see you during the interval.

at intervals of

— With a specific distance or time between.

Trees were planted at intervals of 5 meters.

after an interval

— Once a certain amount of time has passed.

After an interval of silence, he spoke.

at intervals

— From time to time; occasionally.

The sun came out at intervals.

fixed interval

— A gap that does not change.

The machine fires at a fixed interval.

short time interval

— A very quick gap.

The events happened in a short time interval.

the interval between

— The specific gap separating two things.

The interval between the acts was long.

regular time intervals

— Consistent gaps of time.

Data is collected at regular time intervals.

staggered intervals

— Gaps that are not at the same time.

The races start at staggered intervals.

at set intervals

— At predetermined times or spaces.

The guards patrol at set intervals.

Often Confused With

interval vs intermission

Intermission is American; Interval is British for theater breaks.

interval vs period

A period is the duration of an event; an interval is the gap between events.

interval vs gap

Gap is more general and often refers to a hole; interval is more structured.

Idioms & Expressions

"at intervals"

— Happening occasionally or at various times.

The patient woke up at intervals during the night.

Neutral

"by intervals"

— Not continuously; in a stop-and-start way.

The work progressed by intervals.

Slightly dated

"in the interval"

— In the period of time between two events.

He wrote a book in the interval between jobs.

Neutral

"lucid interval"

— A period of sanity or clarity between periods of confusion or illness.

The patient had a lucid interval before the fever returned.

Formal/Medical

"the interval of a heartbeat"

— A very short amount of time.

Everything changed in the interval of a heartbeat.

Literary

"at regular intervals"

— Consistently and predictably.

The lighthouse flashes at regular intervals.

Neutral

"bridge the interval"

— To fill a gap or connect two separate times.

Music was played to bridge the interval between speakers.

Neutral

"after a decent interval"

— After waiting an appropriate amount of time.

He called her back after a decent interval.

Neutral

"at every interval"

— Consistently throughout a process.

The coach checked the score at every interval.

Neutral

"measure the interval"

— To determine the exact size of a gap.

Scientists measure the interval between seismic waves.

Technical

Easily Confused

interval vs internal

Similar spelling.

'Internal' means inside; 'interval' means a gap between.

The internal parts of the machine are checked at regular intervals.

interval vs integral

Similar sound.

'Integral' means essential; 'interval' means a break.

The interval is an integral part of the concert experience.

interval vs interim

Both relate to time between.

'Interim' is often an adjective meaning temporary; 'interval' is a noun meaning the gap itself.

In the interim, there was a short interval.

interval vs intervale

Archaic spelling.

'Intervale' is a specific term for low-lying land near a river.

The intervale was flooded after the rain.

interval vs invert

Starts with 'inv-'.

'Invert' means to turn upside down; 'interval' is a gap.

Do not invert the container during the interval.

Sentence Patterns

There is an interval.

There is an interval now.

At [time] intervals.

At five-minute intervals.

During the interval, [clause].

During the interval, we talked.

An interval of [time].

An interval of two weeks.

Placed at [adjective] intervals.

Placed at regular intervals.

The interval between A and B.

The interval between the acts.

After a [adjective] interval, [clause].

After a brief interval, the rain stopped.

[Subject] occurs at [adjective] intervals.

Earthquakes occur at unpredictable intervals.

Word Family

Nouns

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both academic and daily language.

Common Mistakes

The interval of the movie was long. → The duration of the movie was long.
Interval refers to the break, not the total time of the event.
I will interval the trees. → I will plant the trees at intervals.
Interval is a noun, not a verb.
There was a gap between the notes. → There was an interval between the notes.
In music, 'interval' is the specific technical term.
He checked the baby at regular interval. → He checked the baby at regular intervals.
When describing a repeating pattern, use the plural.
During an interval of the street... → Along a stretch of the street...
Interval is usually for time or repeating spaces, not a single long stretch.

Tips

Use 'At'

Always use the preposition 'at' when describing frequency: 'At 5-minute intervals.'

British vs US

Remember to use 'intermission' if you are in the United States and talking about a play.

Theater Etiquette

In the UK, use the interval to pre-order your drinks so you don't have to wait in line!

Variety

Instead of saying 'every few minutes,' try saying 'at frequent intervals' to sound more professional.

Interval Ear

Learning to hear intervals is the best way to improve your musical skills.

HIIT Benefits

Interval training is often more effective for weight loss than steady running.

Ranges

In math, an interval includes all the tiny numbers between two points, not just the whole numbers.

Precision

Use 'interval' when you need to describe a specific, measured gap in an experiment.

Clarity

Don't rush the word; say 'IN-ter-val' clearly to be understood.

Association

Associate 'interval' with a 'bridge' that connects two separate islands of time.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'INTER' (between) and 'VAL' (like a valley). An interval is the 'valley' or gap between two peaks or events.

Visual Association

Imagine a row of fence posts. The space between each post is the interval. Or imagine a theater curtain closing for a break.

Word Web

Time Space Music Break Gap Regular Training Theater

Challenge

Try to use the phrase 'at regular intervals' three times in your next English conversation.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'intervallum,' which literally means 'the space between two palisades' or walls.

Original meaning: A military term referring to the space between the ramparts of a camp.

Latin -> Old French -> Middle English.

Cultural Context

No major sensitivities; it is a neutral technical and common term.

UK/Australia/NZ use 'interval' for theater breaks; US uses 'intermission.'

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) in fitness. The 'Interval' in Shakespearean plays (though not original to his time). Musical intervals in the 'Do-Re-Mi' song from The Sound of Music.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Theater

Is there an interval?
Meet at the bar during the interval.
The interval is 15 minutes.
The lights dimmed after the interval.

Transport

Buses run at 10-minute intervals.
Trains at frequent intervals.
What is the interval between services?
Scheduled intervals.

Fitness

I'm doing interval training.
High-intensity intervals.
Rest interval of 30 seconds.
Push through the work interval.

Music

Identify the interval.
A perfect fifth interval.
Sing the interval.
Harmonic intervals.

Health/Medicine

Take medicine at 4-hour intervals.
Check blood pressure at intervals.
Lucid interval.
Heartbeat interval.

Conversation Starters

"Do you prefer movies with or without an interval?"

"How long is the interval between buses in your city?"

"Have you ever tried high-intensity interval training?"

"What do you usually do during the interval of a concert?"

"Do you think 15 minutes is a long enough interval for a theater break?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when a long interval between two events changed your perspective.

Write about your daily routine using the phrase 'at regular intervals.'

If you could have a one-year interval in your career, what would you do?

Discuss the importance of intervals (breaks) in a productive workday.

Reflect on a favorite piece of music and its use of intervals and silence.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in many contexts like theater, they are the same. However, 'interval' is more formal and often implies a measured gap, like in 'interval training' or 'regular intervals.'

Absolutely. You can say 'The trees were planted at ten-meter intervals.' This describes the physical space between them.

It is a type of exercise where you alternate between periods of high-intensity work and periods of lower-intensity rest or 'intervals.'

For theater or concerts, Americans usually say 'intermission.' For other things like time gaps or music, they use 'interval' just like the British.

Yes, you can have one interval or many intervals. You should use 'an' before it in the singular.

It means something happens repeatedly with the exact same amount of time or space between each occurrence.

It is the difference in pitch (how high or low a sound is) between two musical notes.

No, 'interval' is only a noun. You cannot 'interval' something. Use 'space out' or 'place at intervals' instead.

In statistics, it's a range of values that is likely to contain the true value of what you are measuring.

Because it is the 'intervening' time between the acts or parts of the performance.