every now and again

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every now and again" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to something that happens occasionally or infrequently. For example, "I like to visit the beach every now and again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A friendly chat every now and again.

The New Yorker

Point this out every now and again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

People ask every now and again.

The Guardian - Music

I see her every now and again, she writes every now and again, and that's that.

The Guardian

And every now and again a Neymar, Romario, Ronaldo appears.

Independent

It might creep in every now and again.

The New York Times - Sports

Every now and again, that happens in the past.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yeah, you're going to fall over every now and again.

The Guardian

Stop the music every now and again.

WikiHow

Every now and again, hit the refresh button.

WikiHow

A bit of flooding happens every now and again".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "every now and again", ensure the context clearly indicates an infrequent or irregular occurrence to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "every now and again" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony. Consider using synonyms like "occasionally" or "sometimes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every now and again" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate frequency. It specifies how often an action occurs, denoting that it happens occasionally rather than regularly. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every now and again" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something occurs occasionally. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Academia. While generally neutral in register, it is important to consider context and choose more formal alternatives like "on occasion" for professional or academic writing. Overusing the phrase should be avoided to prevent redundancy. Remember to use it when you want to express an action that happens sometimes, but not very often.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

now and then

A common and nearly identical alternative in most contexts.

every so often

Similar in meaning, suggesting irregular intervals.

from time to time

Implies a slightly more formal or scheduled occurrence.

once in a while

Indicates a less frequent and more spontaneous occurrence.

on occasion

A more formal substitute, suitable for professional settings.

at times

A briefer and slightly more ambiguous alternative.

periodically

Suggests occurrences at regular, though perhaps infrequent, intervals.

sporadically

Highlights the irregularity and unpredictability of the occurrences.

irregularly

Focuses on the lack of a consistent pattern or schedule.

infrequently

Directly emphasizes the rarity of the event or action.

FAQs

What does "every now and again" mean?

The phrase "every now and again" means occasionally or from time to time. It indicates that something happens, but not regularly or frequently.

How can I use "every now and again" in a sentence?

You can use "every now and again" to describe something that happens infrequently. For example, "I like to go for a hike "every now and again" to clear my head."

What are some alternatives to "every now and again"?

Some alternatives to "every now and again" include "occasionally", "sometimes", "from time to time", and "once in a while".

Is "every now and again" formal or informal?

The phrase "every now and again" is generally considered informal. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "on occasion" or "periodically" may be preferable in professional or academic writing.