switch at intervals

[/swɪtʃ æt ˈɪntərvəlz/]
verb phrase
alternar em intervalos
1. to change or exchange between two or more things repeatedly at regular or irregular time periods
The teacher switches at intervals between English and Portuguese during the lesson.
A professora alterna em intervalos entre inglês e português durante a aula.
2. to turn on and off something intermittently or periodically
The warning light switches at intervals to alert drivers of danger ahead.
A luz de aviso alterna em intervalos para alertar os motoristas sobre perigo à frente.
3. to change between different states, modes, or positions at designated time periods
The system switches at intervals between backup and primary servers.
O sistema alterna em intervalos entre servidores de backup e primários.
This phrase is commonly used in technical, educational, and operational contexts in both Brazilian and American English. In Brazil, it's frequently used in telecommunications and computing contexts, while in the USA it's prevalent in scientific and technical documentation.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
alternatetogglefluctuateinterchangerotate
Antonyms / Antônimos
maintainkeep constantstabilizeremain fixed

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
alternar em intervalos
standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
ficar alternando em intervalos
slightly more colloquial construction
Rio de Janeiro
ficar alternando de tempos em tempos
preference for 'de tempos em tempos' over 'em intervalos'
Portugal
alternar em intervalos
similar usage but may prefer 'intercalar' in some contexts

Related Words

intervalalternationtogglerotationintermittent

Related Idioms & Phrases

on and off
back and forth
in fits and starts
every now and then
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