completely once in a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely once in a while" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be a mix of two different expressions, "completely" and "once in a while," which convey different meanings. Example: "I completely forget to call my friend once in a while."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I've found that clearing your mind completely once in a while, allows your subconscious insights to come through," says Tieken.

HuffPost

Try and try again - maybe take a break completely once in a while.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Submit them once-in-a-while.

WikiHow

But there is something to be said for also doing something completely new once in a while…" That mention of responsibility does highlight one big change for Imangi: it's now the owner of a big, global entertainment brand, despite remaining a small company.

The Guardian - Tech

That said, it's okay to completely disconnect once in a while -- especially if you have a talented team filled with A+ players.

HuffPost

The brain thrives on stimulus!" Finney says it's important to learn something completely new once in a while, whether it's a new language or a musical instrument you've never picked up before. .

Huffington Post

Instead of having some enfant terrible who completely loses the plot once in a while in between scoring goals of the month, we've got something resembling a world-class Kevin Davies.

Vice

Oliver says he's not advocating that minor offenses go unpunished, but that we should have the "right to fuck up once in a while without completely destroying our lives".

Huffington Post

What's wrong with a little meaningless sex once in a while?' I was completely crushed".

The New York Times - Magazine

You have to squash her every once in a while — I mean, completely flatten her.

The New Yorker

This is completely fine, and isn't entirely unhealthy, as long as you go out every once in a while just for some fun and fresh air.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "occasionally" or "sometimes" instead of the phrase "completely once in a while" for clearer and more natural communication.

Common error

Avoid combining adverbs like "completely" and "once in a while" if they create ambiguity. "Completely" suggests totality, while "once in a while" suggests infrequency. Choose one or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely once in a while" attempts to function as an adverbial modifier, specifying the frequency and extent of an action. However, Ludwig AI points out its awkward construction, as it combines an adverb of degree with a frequency phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely once in a while" is used to describe an action that happens infrequently but is thorough when it occurs. However, according to Ludwig AI, the construction is not considered standard English, resulting in grammatical awkwardness. While it appears in some informal contexts, such as news articles and wikis, it's advisable to use clearer alternatives like "occasionally", "sometimes", or "from time to time" to avoid ambiguity and ensure better communication. The phrase attempts to combine the degree of completion with the infrequency of occurrence, but simpler alternatives usually communicate this more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally once in a while

Retains "once in a while" but uses "totally" instead of "completely".

occasionally

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb indicating something happens from time to time.

sometimes

A simpler and more common synonym for "once in a while", indicating that something happens on some occasions but not regularly.

from time to time

Indicates that something happens periodically but not frequently, similar to "once in a while" without the "completely" modifier.

every so often

Similar to "from time to time", suggesting irregular intervals.

now and then

Suggests that something happens occasionally, without emphasis on completeness.

completely at times

Emphasizes the totality of an action occurring at certain moments.

entirely on occasion

Highlights that something is fully done when the opportunity arises.

fully at certain moments

Stresses the comprehensive nature of the action when it happens.

absolutely every now and then

Mixes intensifier "absolutely" with a common phrase for occasional events, focusing on certainty of event but not frequency.

FAQs

Is "completely once in a while" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "completely once in a while" is not standard English. It combines an adverb of degree (completely) with a phrase indicating frequency (once in a while), which can be grammatically awkward.

What are some alternatives to "completely once in a while"?

You can use alternatives like "occasionally", "sometimes", or "from time to time" depending on the context. These options provide more clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I use "once in a while" correctly in a sentence?

Use "once in a while" to indicate that something happens infrequently or occasionally. For example, "I visit my parents "once in a while"."

What does "completely" emphasize when used with another adverb?

"Completely" emphasizes the thoroughness or totality of an action or state. For example, "I "completely forgot" about the meeting" means I forgot about it entirely.