differ from time to time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differ from time to time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something changes or varies at different intervals or occasions. Example: "The weather in this region can differ from time to time, making it unpredictable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The sensitivity, or threshold, for attack generation, may therefore, differ from time to time.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

We say that A is a strongly positive operator in E if ϕ ( A, E ) < π / 2. Throughout the article, M indicates positive constants which may differ from time to time, and we are not interested to precise.

Boundary Value Problems

The number of virtual antenna elements (i.e., relay nodes) may differ from time to time, and information is input to the virtual antenna elements through a possibly noisy channel.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Alzheimer's Association website has additional information about each of these items and explains how they differ from things 'normal people' do from time to time.

Huffington Post

The present study showed that self-determination is a rather complex, and dynamic phenomenon, which may shift from time to time, and differ between different activities.

BMC Geriatrics

It is much more complicated than genomics mostly because while an organism's genome is more or less constant, the proteome differs from cell to cell and from time to time.

Environmental Sciences Europe

The building codes vary from time to time and also differ from country to country, therefore the earthquake resisting ability of buildings differs.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

From time to time.

The New York Times

The mother visited from time to time.

The New Yorker

Inconsistencies present themselves from time to time.

The New Yorker

From time to time, his sons visited.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differ from time to time", ensure the context clearly indicates what is changing and the time frame involved for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "differ from time to time" excessively in highly formal or scientific writing; instead, opt for more precise terms like "temporal variation" or "periodic alteration" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ from time to time" functions as a verb phrase describing a dynamic quality, indicating that something is subject to change or variation over a period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differ from time to time" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something varies or changes periodically. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and its examples illustrate applications across science, news, and general informational contexts. The phrase is suitable for neutral to professional registers, and while common, more precise language may be preferred in highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "vary occasionally" or "change periodically" for nuanced emphasis. When employing this phrase, clearly specify what changes and over what time frame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vary occasionally

Focuses on the occasional nature of the variation, emphasizing infrequency.

become different now and then

Simplifies the idea to highlight that differences appear sometimes.

change periodically

Highlights the cyclical or regular nature of the change.

alter at intervals

Highlights the alterations occurring at specific points in time.

fluctuate intermittently

Emphasizes the irregular pattern of changes or variations.

display temporal variation

A more formal and scientific way to express changes across time.

experience occasional divergence

Highlights moments when things become different or separate infrequently.

shift sporadically

Stresses the unpredictable and random nature of the changes.

exhibit periodic behavior

Suggests that changes or differences occur regularly, showing patterns.

evolve over time

Implies a gradual and progressive change, rather than abrupt variations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "differ from time to time"?

You can use alternatives like "vary occasionally", "change periodically", or "fluctuate intermittently" depending on the context.

What does "differ from time to time" mean?

The phrase "differ from time to time" indicates that something changes or varies at different intervals or on different occasions. It suggests that there is no fixed or constant state and that variations occur periodically or sporadically.

Is it correct to say "things differ from time to time"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "things differ from time to time". Ludwig AI also confirms its correctness. This implies that the characteristics, conditions, or aspects of "things" are not constant and change over time.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "differ from time to time"?

It's appropriate when describing situations, conditions, or qualities that are not static but experience changes or variations. For instance, "The rules may "vary from time to time"" or "My mood "changes from time to time"".