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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
over once in a while
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "over once in a while" is not correct in English.
The correct expression is "every once in a while," which is used to indicate something that happens occasionally or infrequently. Example: "I like to go hiking every once in a while to enjoy nature and get some exercise."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Wiki
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
7 human-written examples
Who doesn't like to be fought over, once in a while?
News & Media
You could watch porn for weeks and see the same repertoire of actions, the identical durations, the same outcomes, over and over; once in a while somebody mixes in a gourd or dresses as a nun, but the basic template is fixed.
News & Media
It can be a tremendous help to have a grandparent or another family member take over once in a while to give you a break -- or even just to let you nap, he says.
Science & Research
Turn it over once in a while, so that the salad will remain mixed well.
Wiki
They'll keep bugging you to hang out for a while, so you might as well allow them to come over once in a while.
Wiki
You were careful in your selection of partners (hopefully) and you kept your standards high, so let your partner know that you continue to admire them by looking them over once in a while, appreciatively.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
53 human-written examples
Submit them once-in-a-while.
Wiki
Fry the meatballs for seven to eight minutes, turning them over every once in a while, until they're golden brown all over.
News & Media
And he's right: while I think it's OK to spend most of my time on this blog working within the limits of the politically possible, and relying on a combination of reason and ridicule to push out those limits over time, once in a while I should just flatly state what I would do if given a chance.
News & Media
It's like the reason there are fewer food choices in supermarkets on St. Croix (where we spent our last vacation) than in New Jersey — there's just one boat with groceries coming over every once in a while, so you can't keep, um, arugula in stock.
News & Media
When the eggs have been laid, flip them over every once in a while once you have put them in the incubator.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use the correct and widely accepted form, "once in a while", to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.
Common error
Avoid using "over" before "once in a while"; the correct phrase is simply "once in a while".
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "over once in a while" is intended to function as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating frequency. However, it's not considered grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI also indicates.
Frequent in
Wiki
43%
News & Media
43%
Science
14%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "over once in a while" appears in various contexts, particularly in Wiki and News & Media sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, the correct form is "once in a while". It's crucial to use the accurate phrasing to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing. Alternatives such as "occasionally" or "from time to time" can also effectively convey the intended meaning.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
once in a while
The grammatically correct version of the query; it expresses the same meaning.
occasionally
Single-word adverb that directly conveys the idea of infrequent occurrence.
from time to time
A common idiom expressing that something happens periodically but not very often.
every now and then
An informal phrase indicating irregular intervals.
now and again
Similar to "every now and then", but slightly less common.
at times
A more concise way to suggest that something happens sometimes.
on occasion
A slightly more formal way to indicate something happens from time to time.
periodically
Implies that something recurs at regular intervals, but not frequently.
sometimes
A simple and direct term indicating that something happens in some instances but not always.
infrequently
Emphasizes the rareness of the occurrence.
FAQs
What's the correct way to say something happens sometimes?
The correct way is to say "once in a while" instead of "over once in a while".
Is "over once in a while" grammatically correct?
No, "over once in a while" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "once in a while".
What are some alternatives to saying something happens occasionally?
You can use alternatives like "occasionally", "from time to time", or "every now and then".
How can I avoid mistakes with the phrase "once in a while"?
Always remember that the correct phrasing is "once in a while" without the addition of "over" before it.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested