from time to time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from time to time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something happens occasionally but not frequently. For example: "From time to time, I like to take a break and go for a walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Academia

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

"Charmers from time to time get lost".

The New Yorker

We get flooding from time to time.

The New York Times

"We drank together from time to time".

The New Yorker

"Things come up 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

Doesn't everybody from time to time?

The New Yorker

Still, it happened from time to time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from time to time" to indicate that an event happens occasionally, but avoid overuse in formal writing; consider stronger, more precise alternatives if the frequency can be better defined.

Common error

Avoid placing "from time to time" in the middle of a verb phrase, which can disrupt the flow of the sentence. Instead, position it at the beginning or end of the clause for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from time to time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate frequency. It specifies that an action or event happens occasionally, but not regularly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

25%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "from time to time" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something occurs occasionally. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's versatile, fitting into various contexts, but care should be taken to avoid overuse in formal settings where more precise language might be preferred. Its usage is frequent across News & Media and Wiki sources. When writing, be sure to place it correctly to avoid disrupting the sentence flow. Alternatives like "occasionally" or "at times" can provide a more formal tone if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally

Single word alternative, implying less frequency than "from time to time".

at times

Slightly more formal and less frequent than "from time to time".

now and then

More informal and conversational alternative.

every so often

Similar in meaning to "now and then", but slightly more emphatic.

once in a while

Implies a less frequent occurrence than "from time to time".

periodically

Suggests a more regular interval than "from time to time".

intermittently

More formal and technical, suggesting irregular intervals.

on occasion

More formal alternative, implying a specific event.

at intervals

Suggests a more measured and spaced-out occurrence.

irregularly

Highlights the lack of a consistent pattern.

FAQs

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

Use "from time to time" to indicate that something occurs occasionally or intermittently. For example, "I enjoy visiting my family "from time to time"".

What's a more formal alternative to "from time to time"?

Alternatives like "occasionally", "periodically", or "on occasion" can be used in more formal contexts.

Is "from time to time" interchangeable with "all the time"?

No, "from time to time" means occasionally, while "all the time" means constantly. They have opposite meanings.

Where should I place "from time to time" in a sentence?

It's best to place "from time to time" at the beginning or end of a clause for clarity. Avoid placing it in the middle of a verb phrase.