now and again

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "now and again" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something happens occasionally or from time to time. Example: "I like to go for a walk now and again to clear my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Markets crash now and again.

The Economist

Now and again.

The New Yorker

A friendly chat every now and again.

The New Yorker

Now and again the torpor lifted.

The New York Times - Arts

Genuine heroes emerge only now and again.

The New York Times

This happens to Presidents now and again.

The New Yorker

Parties "now and again, now and again, I try".

The New York Times

Now and again, lightning strikes.

The New York Times - Arts

I saw him only now and again.

The Guardian

Point this out every now and again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The candle did flicker now and again.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "now and again" to add variety to your writing when indicating something happens occasionally. Avoid overusing it in close proximity to other similar phrases.

Common error

Be careful not to use "now and again" when you mean something happens frequently. This phrase indicates something occurs occasionally, not regularly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "now and again" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an action or event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies that something happens sometimes or occasionally.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "now and again" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates something happens occasionally or intermittently. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It's important to use it appropriately, understanding that it signifies infrequent occurrences. While phrases like ""from time to time"" may be slightly more formal, "now and again" maintains a generally neutral register and is well-suited for adding nuance to your writing or speech. Given its high frequency, you'll encounter it across diverse media, especially in news and online articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every now and then

Similar in structure but uses "then" instead of "again".

from time to time

A slightly more formal alternative emphasizing duration.

once in a while

More colloquial, suggesting infrequency.

on occasion

More formal, emphasizes the event.

occasionally

Single-word adverb instead of a multi-word phrase.

every so often

Implies a more rhythmic, recurring pattern.

at times

Shorter, emphasizing specific moments.

sometimes

A simple, direct synonym.

periodically

Suggests more regular intervals.

infrequently

Emphasizes the lack of frequency.

FAQs

What does "now and again" mean?

The phrase "now and again" means sometimes, occasionally, or from time to time. It suggests that something happens intermittently but not regularly.

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

You can use "now and again" to indicate that an action or event occurs periodically. For example, "I enjoy going to the cinema "every now and then"/".

What are some alternatives to "now and again"?

Alternatives to "now and again" include "occasionally", "from time to time", and "once in a while".

Is it more formal to use "now and again" or "from time to time"?

"From time to time" is generally considered slightly more formal than "now and again", while phrases such as ""once in a while"" tend to be more informal.