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Christine Christie Posted 3 years ago
Grammar

Intervals

Does the term 'interval' make any sense in this context?


'The star flashed at regular intervals.'


By the 'interval', I mean 'a period' after a break.

  

Top answer

Christine Christie Does the term 'interval' make any sense in this context? Stars don't flash. They pulsate, flicker, twinkle, shimmer.

  • Christine Christie Does the term 'interval' make any sense in this context?
  • Stars don't flash.
  • They pulsate, flicker, twinkle, shimmer.
  • Flashing involves going dark between flashes.
  • "Regular intervals" is too imprecise for the periodicity of a star.
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2 Answers
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Christine ChristieDoes the term 'interval' make any sense in this context?

Stars don't flash. They pulsate, flicker, twinkle, shimmer. Flashing involves going dark between flashes. "Regular intervals" is too imprecise for the periodicity of a star. Other than that, "interval" is used OK.

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Christine ChristieThe star flashed at regular intervals.

That sounds OK to me, though I don't think we can see any stars with the naked eye that actually flash. You need a telescope to see the so-called pulsars.

Taking 'star' loosely, however, I think it's possible to see something in the sky (like a UFO) that flashes at regular intervals.

CJ

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