Every so often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Every so often" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens occasionally or at irregular intervals. Example: "Every so often, I like to take a break from work and go for a walk to clear my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

EVERY so often it happens.

The New York Times

EVERY so often someone declares ballet dead.

The New York Times - Arts

Every so often a fan approached.

The New York Times

Every so often we are shocked — shocked!

The New York Times - Arts

Every so often, inexplicably, he ducked.

The New Yorker

Every so often a boy appealed — 'Owzat!

The New Yorker

Every so often, the balance switches.

The New York Times - Arts

Every so often the cart stops.

The Economist

"Every so often, they'll get hit.

The New York Times

Every so often, something clicked.

The New Yorker

Every so often, he whistled too.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Every so often" to indicate an action or event that happens sporadically without a fixed schedule, adding a touch of naturalness to your writing.

Common error

While "Every so often" is acceptable, avoid using it too frequently in a single piece of writing, as it can make your text sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "occasionally" or "from time to time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Every so often" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the frequency of an action. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and common usage. The examples illustrate how it adds context to events that occur intermittently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

22%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Every so often" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to describe events that occur occasionally or intermittently. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is widely accepted and versatile, fitting into many contexts from news articles to casual conversations. While highly versatile, vary your vocabulary using synonyms such as "occasionally" or "from time to time" to prevent repetition. The examples show its prevalence in news and media, indicating its broad appeal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Occasionally

Single-word synonym; less verbose.

From time to time

A more common and slightly more formal alternative.

Now and then

Informal alternative, implies less frequency.

Once in a while

Similar in meaning, slightly more casual.

At times

Shorter and more concise alternative.

Intermittently

More formal and technical, emphasizing the stopping and starting nature.

Periodically

Suggests more regular intervals than "every so often".

On occasion

More formal and slightly less frequent.

At irregular intervals

More descriptive and less idiomatic.

Every now and again

An informal variant with similar meaning to "now and then".

FAQs

How can I use "Every so often" in a sentence?

"Every so often" is typically used as an adverbial phrase to indicate that something happens occasionally or at irregular intervals. For example, "Every so often, I like to take a break from work and go for a walk".

What phrases are similar to "Every so often"?

Similar phrases include "occasionally", "from time to time", "now and then", and "once in a while".

Is it more formal to say "Every so often" or "Occasionally"?

"Occasionally" is generally considered more formal than "every so often", which is more conversational. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "Every so often" and "Periodically"?

"Every so often" implies irregular intervals, whereas "periodically" suggests more regular or scheduled intervals. Use "periodically" when something happens at consistent times.