have from time to time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have from time to time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs occasionally or intermittently. Example: "I have from time to time considered changing my career path, but I always end up staying in my current job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, I think I have from time to time.

The Guardian - Business

They have from time to time over decades.

The Washington Post

Since then pitchers have from time to time been suspected of using it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wars and political considerations following them have from time to time interrupted the freedom of navigation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many people have, from time to time, drawn up recommendations for conservative action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though I have from time to time found myself wondering what roast admiral might taste like.

The Guardian - Books

Hopefully, you don't feel a failure for feeling stressed stress is a natural feeling to have from time to time.

University of California, Berkeley

Politicians, advertisers, fashion editors have, from time to time, held summit meetings which were simply glamorous, savvy showcases of cynicism.

Independent

"They have, from time to time, said that we shouldn't worry; everything they're shipping is unrelated to their actions internally.

The New York Times

I have from time to time deployed the old chestnut of having been "taken out of context".

The Guardian - Opinion

We do have from time to time operational assessments and then we'll decide of the next steps.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider using shorter alternatives like "occasionally" or "sometimes" instead of "have from time to time".

Common error

Avoid using "have from time to time" repeatedly in close proximity. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your language with synonyms or rephrase sentences for better flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have from time to time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the frequency or occurrence of an action. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it softens claims and specifies that actions are not constant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have from time to time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action or event occurs occasionally or intermittently. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is particularly common in news and media, as well as in academic writing. While effective, it's important to avoid overuse and consider shorter alternatives like "occasionally" or "sometimes" for conciseness. Overall, this phrase provides a useful way to soften claims and express irregularity in a wide range of writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from time to time

Reorders the phrase, maintaining the same meaning.

occasionally

This single-word adverb offers a more concise way to express the idea of something happening sometimes.

sometimes

A simple and direct synonym indicating that something happens in some instances but not always.

at times

This phrase is slightly more formal and emphasizes specific instances when something occurs.

now and then

Indicates that something happens infrequently but regularly.

every so often

Suggests a slightly longer interval between occurrences.

on occasion

Implies a more formal or special circumstance when something happens.

once in a while

Suggests a less frequent occurrence than "sometimes".

intermittently

Focuses on the stop-and-start nature of the occurrence.

periodically

Indicates that something happens at regular intervals, but not necessarily frequently.

FAQs

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

Use "have from time to time" to indicate something happens occasionally or intermittently. For example, "I "have from time to time" considered a career change."

What's a more concise alternative to "have from time to time"?

Consider using single-word adverbs like "occasionally" or "sometimes" for a shorter, more direct way to express the same idea.

Is "have from time to time" formal or informal?

"Have from time to time" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might opt for a more precise alternative depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "have from time to time" or "has from time to time"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "have from time to time" with plural subjects (e.g., "They "have from time to time" visited") and "has from time to time" with singular subjects (e.g., "She "has from time to time" expressed interest").