ever once in a while

USAGE SUMMARY

"ever once in a while" is a correctly written English phrase.
You can use it when you want to say that something happens at least occasionally, but not often. For example, "My brother always teases me, but ever once in a while he's sweet and gives me a compliment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Whoever was cook would change when the other fella got sick of his recipes, and ever once in a while a new recipe would come in the AgriNews, like that corn chowder with the sliced hot dogs.

The New Yorker

Make sure to eavesdrop ever once in a while, but not too much or it will be super easy to spot.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Submit them once-in-a-while.

WikiHow

"Cleaning up Everest every once in a while does not help.

The Guardian

Sign up now to gEverhe besince VICeveryada delivered straight tonceur inbox.

Vice

Do you ever take a breath once in a while and go, "Man, I've had a pretty good career".

Huffington Post

Even now, looking back on it all, when I asked Buckner if he ever misses football, he said: "Once in a while, but then I remind myself of all those nice bones I might have broken". Thornridge's basketball team won consecutive state championships in a state that takes basketball as seriously as Wisconsin takes cheese.

Los Angeles Times

"Anybody that has ever used a saw knows every once in a while it will bind up," Admiral Thad Allen said at a press conference today.

The New Yorker

Every once in a while an ever-thinner Sister Kathy would return to New York to discuss the possibility of reopening Samaritan House, and people would get excited.

The New York Times

Dwight Eisenhower uttered this pious hope in Delhi in 1959 and, ever since, an American president has popped back once in a while to utter it again.

The Economist

It is more crucial than ever that we turn off those ubiquitous gadgets once in a while.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "ever once in a while" is grammatically sound, consider using shorter, more common alternatives like "occasionally" or "from time to time" for clearer and more concise writing.

Common error

Avoid using overly verbose expressions like "ever once in a while" in formal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever once in a while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct, although other choices can improve conciseness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ever once in a while" is a grammatically correct, albeit slightly redundant, adverbial phrase used to indicate that something happens occasionally. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to soften statements by suggesting infrequent occurrences. While acceptable, shorter alternatives like "occasionally" or "from time to time" are often preferred for clarity, especially in formal writing. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts, reflecting its informal nature. When clarity and conciseness are paramount, consider opting for more direct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally

Single word adverb expressing infrequency.

from time to time

A slightly more formal alternative emphasizing the intermittent nature of the event.

every so often

Emphasizes the periodic but irregular nature of the event.

once in a blue moon

Suggests a very rare occurrence.

on occasion

Highlights specific instances when the event happens.

at times

Implies that the event happens periodically, without specifying frequency.

now and then

Indicates a casual and infrequent occurrence.

every now and again

A more colloquial way of saying "every so often".

sporadically

Suggests that occurrences are isolated and infrequent.

infrequently

A more formal way of saying "not often".

FAQs

What does "ever once in a while" mean?

The phrase "ever once in a while" means occasionally or infrequently. It suggests that something happens at least some of the time, but not regularly.

Is "ever once in a while" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ever once in a while" is grammatically correct, although it might be considered somewhat redundant. There are shorter, more common alternatives that you could use instead.

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

You can use alternatives like "occasionally", "from time to time", or "every so often" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "ever once in a while" in writing?

It's appropriate in informal writing or conversation when you want to emphasize the occasional nature of something. However, for formal writing, consider using a more concise alternative.