from time to time did

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from time to time did" is not correct in standard written English.
It is an awkward construction and would typically be rephrased for clarity and fluency. Example: "From time to time did he visit his old friends."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

COL.AMEN: From time to time did you act as his personal representative?

Yale University

As it was, Donker, a small but respected publisher who pops up at London trade fairs from time to time, didn't like the book, but suggested that Klinkhamer turn two chapters into a crime novel.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Any disagreements from time to time don't affect the core relationship".

The New York Times

True, parliament can legislate to reverse decisions of the court, and from time to time does so.

The Guardian

But still, a few moments of pleasure from time to time doesn't seem a lot to ask.

The Guardian

The fact that she breaks into song from time to time doesn't limit the performance; it adds another dimension to it.

Independent

"Back in the old day, the Soviet teams from time to time done that trick, but since then, I've never seen it".

The New York Times - Sports

Farbrace said: "He is someone who from time to time does get treatment on his back, but honestly it's not something we are spending time talking about.

The Guardian - Sport

Americans, from time to time, do get very angry with their Presidents, but never, in modern memory, as fervently or as quickly as with this one.

The New Yorker

Indeed, a little introspection may suggest to the reader that he or she has, from time to time, done some of these things to show off to a desirable sexual partner.Crucially, language, too, may have been driven by sexual selection.

The Economist

The best explanation for the revival of this Victorian practice seems to be the impact of television: "EastEnders", a BBC soap, has featured a horse-drawn hearse and so, from time to time, do televised funerals of police officers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the phrase "from time to time did" with simpler adverbs like "occasionally" or "sometimes" for clearer and more concise writing.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary auxiliary verbs when "from time to time" already indicates frequency. Using "from time to time" is generally sufficient and doesn't require the addition of "did".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from time to time did" attempts to function as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency of an action. However, Ludwig AI suggests this construction is awkward and grammatically incorrect. It should be replaced with a simpler adverb or a restructured sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "from time to time did" is grammatically awkward and not recommended for standard written English. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is uncommon and considered incorrect. While the intent is to convey occasional occurrence, it's better to use simpler adverbs like "occasionally" or "sometimes", or restructure the sentence. Although examples exist in news and academic sources, these are likely instances where the writing could be improved. Opting for clearer and more concise alternatives will enhance the quality and readability of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Occasionally

Single-word adverb replacing the entire phrase for brevity and directness.

Sometimes

A common synonym that directly indicates infrequent occurrence.

At times

A slightly more formal phrase indicating that something happens now and then.

Now and then

An idiomatic phrase emphasizing the intermittent nature of an event.

From time to time

Omits the auxiliary verb "did", resulting in a grammatically correct sentence.

Once in a while

An informal phrase suggesting infrequent occurrence.

On occasion

A more formal substitute, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Every so often

Indicates irregular intervals between occurrences.

Periodically

Emphasizes a recurring pattern with potentially longer intervals.

Intermittently

Highlights the start-and-stop nature of an event.

FAQs

What's a better way to phrase "from time to time did"?

Consider using alternatives such as "occasionally", "sometimes", or simply "from time to time" without the extra "did", depending on the intended meaning and sentence structure.

Is it grammatically correct to say "from time to time did"?

While understandable, the construction "from time to time did" is not standard English. It's generally better to rephrase using simpler adverbs or revise the sentence structure for clarity.

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

Use "from time to time" to indicate occasional occurrence without adding unnecessary auxiliary verbs. For example, "From time to time, I visit my family".

What is the difference between "from time to time" and "occasionally"?

"From time to time" and "occasionally" are similar in meaning, both indicating that something happens sometimes but not regularly. "Occasionally" is more concise, while "from time to time" can add a slightly more descriptive or emphatic tone.