What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fitfully
Example
The power kept going out fitfully throughout the storm. [fitfully: adverb]
Example
He slept fitfully, waking up every few hours. [fitfully: adverb]
intermittently
Example
The rain fell intermittently throughout the day. [intermittently: adverb]
Example
The radio signal was coming through intermittently, making it hard to hear. [intermittently: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Intermittently is more commonly used than fitfully in everyday language. Intermittently is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fitfully is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fitfully and intermittently?
Both fitfully and intermittently are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
