time from time to time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time from time to time" is not correct; the correct phrase is "from time to time." You can use it to indicate that something happens occasionally or at irregular intervals.
Example: "I like to go hiking from time to time when I have a free weekend."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nigger did do a little county time, from time to time.

Independent

And if I appear to be having too good a time from time to time, it's because I don't know how to stay up late and because the [late-night talk show] hosts are really good at what they do. .

Los Angeles Times

So, I'll read the Times online from time to time and look at the Sunday edition.

The New York Times

The English publication "Time & Tide" runs a competition from time to time.

The New Yorker

The debate over its future simmered away for some time, bubbling over from time to time especially if a public figure fell foul of the statute.

The Guardian

It's nice to have a bit of a row from time to time, it makes the time fly.

The Guardian

Over the past two decades, it has averaged ten times that.From time to time, the Fed will tempt people to do imprudent things, such as spending too much or saving too little, for the good of the economy as a whole.

The Economist

18. GNM reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this Competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control.

The Guardian - Sport

GNM and partners reserve the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this Competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside their control.

The Guardian

GNM reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Showcase with or without prior notice (including, without limitation, in the case of anticipated, suspected or actual fraud).

The Guardian

He said he was leaving on friendly terms and intended to write pieces for The New Yorker from time to time after he went to Time in January.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the redundant phrase "time from time to time". Use the correct idiomatic expression "from time to time", or consider simpler alternatives like "occasionally" or "sometimes" for clearer communication.

Common error

Using "time from time to time" adds unnecessary words and can make your writing sound awkward. Stick to "from time to time", which is concise and widely understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time from time to time" is a grammatically incorrect variation of the idiomatic expression "from time to time", intended to function as an adverbial phrase indicating occasional or intermittent occurrence. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is not a correct expression.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "time from time to time" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The correct idiomatic expression is "from time to time", which indicates that something happens occasionally. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the inclusion of the extra "time" makes the phrase redundant and non-standard. Simpler alternatives like "occasionally", "sometimes", or "at times" can also be used to express the same meaning. Using correct phrasing ensures clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from time to time

Omits the unnecessary 'time' at the beginning, resulting in the correct and idiomatic expression.

occasionally

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb conveying the same meaning.

at times

Uses a shorter, more direct phrase to express the same concept.

sometimes

Offers a simpler, more common alternative.

now and then

Replaces the phrase with a common idiom indicating infrequent occurrence.

on occasion

Uses a more formal phrase to convey the same meaning.

every so often

Offers a slightly more emphatic way of saying "from time to time."

once in a while

Uses another common idiom to indicate infrequent occurrence.

periodically

Suggests occurrences at somewhat regular intervals, unlike the original phrase which implies irregularity.

intermittently

Emphasizes the stopping and starting nature of the occurrences.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "time from time to time"?

The correct phrase is "from time to time". The inclusion of an extra "time" is grammatically incorrect and not idiomatic.

Is "time from time to time" ever correct?

No, "time from time to time" is not a recognized or grammatically correct phrase in English. You should always use "from time to time".

What can I use instead of "time from time to time"?

Since "time from time to time" is incorrect, use "from time to time". Alternatives include "occasionally", "sometimes", or "at times".

How can I remember to use "from time to time" correctly?

Think of the phrase as indicating something that happens "every now and then". Remembering the rhythm and flow of "from time to time" will help you avoid the error.