From time to time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "From time to time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something happens occasionally or intermittently. Example: "From time to time, I like to take a break and go for a walk to clear my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From time to time.

The New York Times

From time to time, liberals grasp this.

The Economist

From time to time, his sons visited.

The New York Times

From time to time, Pedro Correa goes home.

The New York Times

"From time to time people want change.

The Guardian

From time to time, he kills people.

The New York Times - Health

"From time to time, we ask questions.

Unicef

From time to time, start a pandemic.

WikiHow

From time to time, tidy up!

WikiHow

"Charmers from time to time get lost".

The New Yorker

We get flooding from time to time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "From time to time" to add variety to your writing when describing events that happen occasionally, rather than relying solely on words like "sometimes" or "occasionally".

Common error

Avoid using "From time to time" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your text sound repetitive; vary your language by using synonyms like "occasionally" or "now and then" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "From time to time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating how often an action occurs. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes the frequency of an event, suggesting it happens occasionally or intermittently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "From time to time" is a versatile and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that something happens occasionally or intermittently. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It's highly prevalent in News & Media sources and also frequently used in Wiki content. While it fits comfortably in both formal and informal settings, it's advisable to avoid overuse in close proximity within the same text. Instead, enriching your writing with alternatives such as "occasionally", "now and then", or "once in a while" will enhance reader experience and keep your writing engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Occasionally

Single word synonym indicating something happens not regularly.

Now and then

A common idiomatic alternative suggesting infrequent occurrences.

Once in a while

Suggests that something happens infrequently but not entirely rarely.

At times

Implies that something happens sometimes, but not very often.

Every so often

An informal alternative emphasizing irregular intervals.

On occasion

A more formal alternative suggesting a specific instance or event.

Sometimes

A general synonym indicating that something happens in some instances but not always.

Periodically

Suggests occurrences at regular intervals, though not necessarily frequently.

Intermittently

Implies that something stops and starts at irregular intervals.

Every now and again

An extended version of "now and then", adding emphasis to the infrequency.

FAQs

How can I use "From time to time" in a sentence?

"From time to time" is used to indicate that something happens occasionally or intermittently. For example, "From time to time, I enjoy reading a good book".

What are some alternatives to "From time to time"?

You can use alternatives such as "occasionally", "now and then", or "once in a while" to express a similar meaning.

Is "From time to time" formal or informal?

"From time to time" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase to use in various writing styles.

What's the difference between "From time to time" and "Sometimes"?

While both indicate occasional occurrences, "From time to time" often suggests a slightly less frequent or more irregular occurrence than "sometimes". "Sometimes" can imply a more predictable pattern.