once in a while

USAGE SUMMARY

"once in a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you mean "occasionally" or "infrequently." For example: "I like to get together with my friends once in a while."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Only once in a while".

The New Yorker

Once in a while, anyway.

The New York Times

Maybe once in a while.

The New York Times - Sports

But once in a while?

The New York Times

Just once in a while.

The New York Times

Everyone does once in a while.

The New Yorker

How often is once in a while?

The New Yorker

Once in a while, I got punched.

The New Yorker

Once in a while, he was reassuring.

The New York Times

He visits once in a while.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Submit them once-in-a-while.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once in a while" to soften recommendations or suggestions, making them seem less prescriptive. For example, "Try a new restaurant once in a while."

Common error

While "once in a while" is perfectly acceptable, avoid relying on it too heavily in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "occasionally" or "sometimes" to make your writing more engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once in a while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an action or event. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it specifies that something occurs occasionally but not regularly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "once in a while" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that something happens occasionally or infrequently. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It carries a neutral to informal tone, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or scientific writing. As highlighted by Ludwig, be mindful of overusing this phrase and consider varying your language with synonyms like "occasionally" or "sometimes".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally

Single word indicating something happens from time to time, not regularly.

sometimes

Suggests that something happens in some cases but not always.

from time to time

Implies that something happens at intervals, but not frequently.

every so often

Indicates irregular intervals.

now and then

Similar to from time to time, suggesting infrequent events.

on occasion

Suggests that something happens when the situation allows it.

at times

Indicates that something happens during certain moments or periods.

periodically

Happens at regular though infrequent intervals.

infrequently

Directly states that something does not happen often.

seldom

An old and more formal way to say something rarely happens.

FAQs

How can I use "once in a while" in a sentence?

Use "once in a while" to indicate that something happens occasionally or infrequently. For example, "I visit my parents "once in a while", usually during holidays."

What's a more formal alternative to "once in a while"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "occasionally" or "infrequently". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "every once in a while"?

Yes, "every once in a while" is a common and acceptable variation of ""once in a while"" and carries the same meaning.

What is the difference between "once in a while" and "sometimes"?

While both indicate that something happens occasionally, ""once in a while"" often suggests a slightly lower frequency than "sometimes". The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of frequency you want to convey.