Have you ever encountered the phrase “by fits and starts” and wondered what it really means? This common idiom expresses irregular or uneven progress in a certain action or process.
When something happens “by fits and starts,” it is characterized by intermittent bursts of activity or progress that are often irregular or inconsistent. This phrase is commonly used to describe situations where progress is made in a hesitant or stop-and-go manner.
7 Examples Of By Fits And Starts Used In a Sentence For Kids
- By fits and starts, the little squirrel climbed up the tree.
- The butterfly fluttered by fits and starts towards the flowers.
- The toy car moved by fits and starts across the floor.
- The kitten played by fits and starts with a ball of yarn.
- The wind blew by fits and starts through the leaves of the trees.
- The caterpillar crawled by fits and starts along the branch.
- The train chugged by fits and starts along the tracks.
14 Sentences with By Fits And Starts Examples
- By fits and starts, the college students managed to complete their group project before the deadline.
- The students studied for their exams by fits and starts, often procrastinating until the night before.
- By fits and starts, the students navigated through the complex registration process for their courses.
- The college students tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle by fits and starts, balancing late-night study sessions with occasional gym visits.
- By fits and starts, the students slowly improved their grades throughout the semester.
- Despite facing setbacks, the students persisted by fits and starts in their efforts to secure internships.
- The students struggled to adjust to online classes, often attending by fits and starts.
- By fits and starts, the students explored different extracurricular activities to find their passion outside of academics.
- The students managed their finances by fits and starts, sometimes overspending but also saving diligently at other times.
- By fits and starts, the students adapted to the ever-changing dynamics of college life.
- The students attempted to lead a balanced social life by fits and starts, alternating between intense socializing and periods of solitude.
- By fits and starts, the students honed their presentation skills by participating in various public speaking competitions.
- The students tried to maintain a consistent study schedule but found themselves studying by fits and starts due to various distractions.
- By fits and starts, the students tackled their mountain of assignments, prioritizing tasks based on deadlines and importance.
How To Use By Fits And Starts in Sentences?
To properly use By Fits And Starts in a sentence, it is important to understand its meaning.
By Fits And Starts is an idiomatic phrase that describes progress that is irregular, uneven, or sporadic. It refers to something that moves forward in a disjointed or inconsistent manner, rather than in a smooth and continuous fashion.
Here is an example of how to use By Fits And Starts in a sentence:
“After facing writer’s block, he finally managed to complete his novel by fits and starts, working on it sporadically over the course of several months.”
In this sentence, the phrase By Fits And Starts is used to convey that the progress made in writing the novel was not steady or consistent, but rather characterized by periods of productivity interspersed with periods of little to no progress.
When using By Fits And Starts in a sentence, remember to incorporate it in a way that accurately reflects its meaning of irregular or uneven progress. Whether describing someone’s work habits, the development of a project, or any other situation where progress is disjointed, By Fits And Starts can effectively convey that idea.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the phrase “by fits and starts” is commonly used to describe something that is progressing intermittently or in a sporadic manner. This expression captures the idea of progress being made in short bursts or uneven intervals, rather than steadily and consistently. Examples such as “the project is moving forward by fits and starts” and “she began writing her novel by fits and starts” illustrate how this phrase can depict a stop-and-go pattern of development. Overall, “by fits and starts” is a vivid and relatable way to convey the idea of a process that is advancing in a non-linear fashion, with periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity.
