time to time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time to time" is correct and usable in written English.
It means "occasionally" or "from time to time". You can use it to refer to things which happen, but not very often. Example: I check my email from time to time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From time to time.

The New York Times

The mother visited from time to time.

The New Yorker

Inconsistencies present themselves from time to time.

The New Yorker

"We all do it time to time.

The New York Times - Sports

From time to time, his sons visited.

The New York Times

From time to time, liberals grasp this.

The Economist

"Charmers from time to time get lost".

The New Yorker

We get flooding from time to time.

The New York Times

"We drank together from time to time".

The New Yorker

"Things come up from time to time.

The New York Times

Doesn't everybody from time to time?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time to time" to indicate that something happens occasionally but not regularly. For example, "I visit my family from time to time".

Common error

While "time to time" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "periodically" or "intermittently" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time to time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate frequency or duration. It specifies that an action or event occurs occasionally or at irregular intervals. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes happenings but not very often.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

19%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "time to time" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating that something occurs occasionally. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to describe events that aren't regular but happen sporadically. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted, with various alternatives like "occasionally" or "now and then". While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence in news, media, and wiki sources, making it a versatile phrase for describing intermittent occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

From time to time

A synonymous expression, interchangeable with "time to time".

Occasionally

Indicates a less frequent occurrence compared to "time to time".

Now and then

Suggests irregular intervals, similar to "time to time".

At times

Suggests that something happens during certain moments, comparable to "time to time".

Once in a while

Implies infrequent occurrences, comparable to "time to time".

Every so often

Indicates sporadic instances, like "time to time".

At intervals

Highlights the spaced-out nature of the occurrences, similar to "time to time".

On occasion

Signifies a single, specific instance happening sporadically, like "time to time".

Periodically

Implies regular but not necessarily frequent occurrences, slightly more structured than "time to time".

Intermittently

Focuses on the stopping and starting nature of the occurrences, similar to "time to time".

FAQs

What does the phrase "time to time" mean?

The phrase "time to time" means occasionally or at irregular intervals. It indicates that something happens, but not on a regular basis.

How can I use "time to time" in a sentence?

You can use "time to time" to describe activities that you do sporadically. For example, "I check my email from "time to time" when I'm on vacation".

What are some alternatives to "time to time"?

Some alternatives to "time to time" include "occasionally", "now and then", or "once in a while". These phrases all convey the idea of something happening infrequently.

Is "from time to time" the same as "time to time"?

Yes, "from time to time" is a synonymous expression and is perfectly interchangeable with "time to time". They both mean occasionally or at irregular intervals.