now and then

USAGE SUMMARY

'now and then' is a perfectly valid phrase to use in written English.
It generally means a few times, sporadically, or occasionally. For example, "I like to treat myself to a luxury item now and then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chill now and then.

The New York Times

I mean, now and then".

The New Yorker

Now and then somebody dies.

The New Yorker

Now and then it does.

The New York Times - Books

"Now and then," he replied.

The New Yorker

Bailey came now and then.

The New Yorker

Jesus visits now and then.

The New York Times

But now and then.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now and then clients call from jail.

The New Yorker

And nothing strenuous between now and then.

The New York Times

Now and then, there is a lull.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "now and then" to indicate that something happens occasionally but not regularly. It adds a touch of informality to your writing.

Common error

While "now and then" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "occasionally" or "from time to time" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "now and then" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate frequency. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests that an action or event occurs occasionally or intermittently. Examples in Ludwig show its use in various contexts to express sporadic occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

37%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "now and then" is a common adverbial phrase used to indicate that something happens occasionally or intermittently. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, primarily in news, media, and wiki sources. While versatile, it is generally considered informal to neutral in register, making it suitable for everyday conversation and less formal writing. For more formal contexts, synonyms like "occasionally" or "from time to time" may be more appropriate. Overusing "now and then" can lead to repetitive writing, so it's beneficial to vary your language with different alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally

This single word replaces the entire phrase with a more concise adverb.

from time to time

A slightly more formal alternative that emphasizes the intermittent nature of the occurrence.

every now and again

A more informal and conversational equivalent.

once in a while

This phrase emphasizes the infrequency of the event.

at times

A shorter and more direct way to express occasional occurrences.

sometimes

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

every so often

This alternative conveys a sense of irregularity and unpredictability.

on occasion

A more formal and less frequent synonym.

periodically

This suggests occurrences at regular but infrequent intervals.

intermittently

Focuses on the stopping and starting nature of the occurrences.

FAQs

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

You can use "now and then" to indicate something happens occasionally. For example, "I visit my family "now and then"".

What are some alternatives to "now and then"?

Some alternatives to "now and then" include "occasionally", "from time to time", or "once in a while".

Is "now and then" formal or informal?

"Now and then" is generally considered informal. For more formal writing, consider using alternatives like "on occasion" or "periodically".

What's the difference between "now and then" and "every now and then"?

The phrases "now and then" and "every now and then" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. Both indicate that something happens occasionally.