Method for defining actuation time periods for an inverter having at least two half-bridges comprising at least two half-bridge switches (16, 17) which are connected to one another by means of a centre tap and the connections (18, 20) of which have a voltage applied to them in relation to the centre tap, wherein, in each half-bridge, a first of the half-bridge switches (16, 17) can be actuated with a first actuation time period of the actuation time periods and the second of the half-bridge switches (16, 17) can be actuated with a second actuation time period of the actuation time periods as part of a pulse-width modulation, comprising: - determining the actuation time periods for the two half-bridge switches (16, 17) of the two half-bridges during one period (40, 42) of the pulse-width modulation, and - changing the first actuation time period of the first half-bridge in relation to the second actuation time period in the first half-bridge when, within the period (40, 42) of the pulse-width modulation, the first actuation time period of the first half-bridge and the first actuation time period of the second half-bridge are congruent within a predetermined tolerance, characterized in that the first actuation time period of the first half-bridge for changing in relation to the second actuation time period of the first half-bridge is divided into at least three partial time periods (44, 54) which are arranged at time intervals in relation to one another within the period (40, 42) of the pulse-width modulation, wherein two partial time periods which are separated from the first actuation time period are shifted symmetrically in relation to a symmetry of the first actuation time period of the second half-bridge by a time difference at the beginning and the end of the period, and wherein the symmetry of the first actuation time period of the second half-bridge is arranged in a period centre of the period of the pulse-width modulation. - determining the actuation time periods for the two half-bridge switches (16, 17) of the two half-bridges during one period (40, 42) of the pulse-width modulation, and - changing the first actuation time period of the first half-bridge in relation to the second actuation time period in the first half-bridge when, within the period (40, 42) of the pulse-width modulation, the first actuation time period of the first half-bridge and the first actuation time period of the second half-bridge are congruent within a predetermined tolerance, characterized in that the first actuation time period of the first half-bridge for changing in relation to the second actuation time period of the first half-bridge is divided into at least three partial time periods (44, 54) which are arranged at time intervals in relation to one another within the period (40, 42) of the pulse-width modulation, wherein two partial time periods which are separated from the first actuation time period are shifted symmetrically in relation to a symmetry of the first actuation time period of the second half-bridge by a time difference at the beginning and the end of the period, and wherein the symmetry of the first actuation time period of the second half-bridge is arranged in a period centre of the period of the pulse-width modulation.