Interim vs. Interval — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 14, 2024
Interim denotes a temporary or transitional period between events, often used in a formal context; interval refers to the gap or pause between two points or events, emphasizing duration.
Difference Between Interim and Interval
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Interim is used to describe a period that serves as a temporary or provisional arrangement until a final status or stage is reached. It often has a formal connotation, such as in business or governance, indicating a phase of transition. On the other hand, interval specifically refers to the space or time between things or events, highlighting the concept of duration rather than the transitional nature of the period.
In the context of employment or positions, "interim" is used to denote someone serving in a role temporarily until the permanent position is filled. This usage underscores the provisional nature of the term. Conversely, interval is used more generally to describe the time or distance between two points or events, such as the interval between two musical notes or the interval between meetings, without implying a transitional role or function.
Interim can also imply a sense of awaiting a more permanent or final stage, often used in contexts where decisions or changes are pending. This can be in politics, business, or personal situations. In contrast, interval does not carry this implication of transition to something more permanent; it simply measures or denotes the gap itself, without suggesting what follows.
In practical terms, "interim" can also refer to a specific temporary measure or solution, such as an interim agreement or interim report, highlighting its use in situations requiring a placeholder or stopgap. Whereas, an interval can be a scheduled break, such as in entertainment (the interval during a play), or in a sequence of events, emphasizing pause or separation without the connotation of waiting for a conclusion or replacement.
The concept of interim is inherently linked to the anticipation of a future change or conclusion, suggesting a period of waiting or preparation. Interval, by its nature, focuses more on the present gap or pause, with less emphasis on future implications, serving more to describe the space or pause itself than to suggest a transitional phase.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A temporary period until a final stage is reached
The space or time between two points or events
Usage Context
Formal, transitional periods
General, emphasizing duration or separation
Implication
Transition to something permanent
Gap or pause without suggesting a transition
Example Uses
Interim reports, interim leaders
Intervals between meetings, interval training
Connotation
Temporary, awaiting finality
Gap, pause, separation
Compare with Definitions
Interim
Serving temporarily until the permanent phase.
He was appointed as the interim manager.
Interval
The time or space between two events or points.
The interval between the two meetings was brief.
Interim
Used to describe provisional arrangements.
The interim agreement was signed yesterday.
Interval
Part of a sequence or series with gaps.
Interval training involves alternating between intense and light exercise.
Interim
Temporary measure or solution.
An interim policy will be in effect until the new one is drafted.
Interval
A period of separation or distinction.
The intervals in their communication became longer over time.
Interim
A period between events, awaiting something final.
During the interim, the committee will review the proposals.
Interval
A break or pause in a sequence.
There’s a 15-minute interval during the play.
Interim
Indicating a phase of transition.
The project is in an interim stage of development.
Interval
Measurement of distance or duration.
The intervals between streetlights are evenly spaced.
Interim
An interim is a provisional or temporary intervening period of time. In projects, an interim report is often compiled to analyze how the project is proceeding, before its final completion.
Interval
An intervening time
The day should be dry with sunny intervals
After his departure, there was an interval of many years without any meetings
Interim
An interval of time between one event, process, or period and another.
Interval
A pause or break in activity
An interval of mourning
Interim
Belonging to, serving during, or taking place during an intermediate interval of time; temporary
An interim agreement.
Interval
A space between two things; a gap.
Interim
Transitional.
Iraq's government is interim.
Interval
The difference in pitch between two sounds.
Interim
Temporary.
You are interim manager until he returns from hospital.
Interval
A space between objects, points, or units, especially when making uniform amounts of separation
We set up hurdles at intervals of 15 yards around the track.
Interim
A transitional or temporary period between other events.
His car is in the shop, but they gave him a rental to drive in the interim.
Interval
An amount of time between events, especially of uniform duration separating events in a series
We ran laps at 30-second intervals.
Interim
The meantime; time intervening; interval between events, etc.
All the interim isLike a phantasms, or a hideous dream.
Interval
A segment of an athletic workout in which an athlete runs, swims, or does other exercise over a series of predetermined distances at regular time increments with intermittent rests.
Interim
A name given to each of three compromises made by the emperor Charles V. of Germany for the sake of harmonizing the connecting opinions of Protestants and Catholics.
Interval
A set of numbers consisting of all the numbers between a pair of given numbers along with either, both, or none of the endpoints.
Interim
The time between one event, process, or period and another
Interval
A closed interval.
Interim
Serving during an intermediate interval of time;
An interim agreement
Interval
An open interval.
Interval
A half-open interval.
Interval
A line segment representing the set of numbers in an interval.
Interval
Chiefly British An intermission, as between acts of a play.
Interval
(Music) The difference, usually expressed in the number of steps, between two pitches.
Interval
A distance in space.
Interval
A period of time.
The interval between contractions during childbirth
Interval
(music) The difference (a ratio or logarithmic measure) in pitch between two notes, often referring to those two pitches themselves (otherwise known as a dyad).
Interval
(mathematics) A connected section of the real line which may be empty or have a length of zero.
Interval
An intermission.
Interval
(sports) half time, a scheduled intermission between the periods of play
Interval
(cricket) Either of the two breaks, at lunch and tea, between the three sessions of a day's play
Interval
A space between things; a void space intervening between any two objects; as, an interval between two houses or hills.
'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left,A dreadful interval.
Interval
Space of time between any two points or events; as, the interval between the death of Charles I. of England, and the accession of Charles II.
Interval
A brief space of time between the recurrence of similar conditions or states; as, the interval between paroxysms of pain; intervals of sanity or delirium.
Interval
Difference in pitch between any two tones.
Interval
A definite length of time marked off by two instants
Interval
A set containing all points (or all real numbers) between two given endpoints
Interval
The distance between things;
Fragile items require separation and cushioning
Interval
The difference in pitch between two notes
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between interim and interval?
Interim emphasizes a temporary or transitional period with anticipation of something permanent, while interval focuses on the gap or pause between events or points, emphasizing duration.
What does an interval indicate in terms of time?
An interval indicates a specific duration or gap between events or actions, such as the time between sessions or activities.
Can an interval be a moment of rest or pause?
Yes, an interval can be a scheduled break or pause, such as in performances or between activities, emphasizing a period of rest.
Does interim imply a future change?
Yes, interim carries an implication of awaiting or leading to a future change or the establishment of something more permanent.
What is the significance of intervals in physical training?
In physical training, intervals are used to structure workouts that alternate between high-intensity and low-intensity exercises, optimizing performance and recovery.
Can interim and interval be used interchangeably?
No, because interim refers to a temporary period with an implication of transition, and interval refers to a space or time gap without such implications.
How is interim commonly used in a professional context?
Interim is often used to describe temporary appointments or measures in a professional context, like an interim CEO or interim policies.
Is interim always related to positions or roles?
While commonly associated with temporary roles or positions, interim can also refer to any temporary measure, arrangement, or period until something more permanent is established.
How do intervals function in music?
In music, intervals refer to the distance between two notes, crucial for understanding scales, chords, and melody composition.
Can the concept of an interval apply to space as well as time?
Yes, interval can refer to both spatial and temporal gaps, such as the physical distance between objects or the duration between events.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
