yet once in a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yet once in a while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens occasionally or infrequently. Example: "I enjoy going out to eat, yet once in a while, I prefer to cook at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Yet once in a while the miracle happens; an artist not only survives middle age, but also remains creatively vital.

The New York Times

Yet once in a while, bad policies – even ones where the outcome seems preordained – can be averted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet once in a while, the hype is entirely justified.

Vice

Yet, once in a while, in the company of a bubbly daughter, her sweet childhood pal and the pal's witty dad, you can live very well.

Los Angeles Times

Yet once in a while these things (saving the environment while blowing things up in that environment) come together in fun and exciting ways.

Vice

Yet once in a while a new "gastronomic" restaurant sounds promising, and we forgo the theater and dine at a more normal hour -- and at a more leisurely pace.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Submit them once-in-a-while.

WikiHow

Yet every once in a while it might be seen as driving him instead.

The New York Times - Books

Yet, every once in a while, Marine Le Pen lets a shocking comment fly.

The New Yorker

Yet every once in a while a student comes along with that knack, and manages to solve the communication challenge elegantly.

The New York Times

Yet every once in a while, the administration will do something so obviously awful that you can only see it as a political gift.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yet once in a while" to introduce an exception to a general trend or expectation, adding a touch of surprise or unpredictability to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "yet once in a while" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your text sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms like "occasionally" or "sometimes" to maintain variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yet once in a while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an action or event. It introduces a sense of occasional or infrequent occurrence, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

17%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yet once in a while" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something happens occasionally or infrequently. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While the expression is most commonly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. For writers seeking variety, alternative phrases like "every so often" or "from time to time" offer similar meanings. While its grammatical structure is appropriate, remember that overusing the phrase in your writing should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every now and then

Combines elements of time and infrequency, closely mirroring the meaning of the original phrase.

every so often

Replaces "yet once in a while" with a more concise expression of occasional occurrence.

from time to time

Indicates occasional events, similar to "yet once in a while" but with a broader scope.

now and then

Offers a simpler and more direct alternative to describe infrequent events.

on occasion

Formal replacement that emphasizes the infrequency of an event.

at times

Provides a shorter alternative, focusing on the intermittent nature of the events.

on rare occasions

Stresses the unusual nature of the events, diverging slightly from the original's more general sense of infrequency.

once in a blue moon

Emphasizes the rarity of the event more strongly than "yet once in a while".

sporadically

Focuses on the irregular nature of the occurrence, differing slightly in emphasis.

intermittently

Highlights the stopping and starting nature of the events, adding a nuance not present in the original.

FAQs

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

You can use "yet once in a while" to indicate something happens occasionally, such as: "I prefer to cook at home, "yet once in a while" I enjoy going out to eat."

What are some alternatives to "yet once in a while"?

Alternatives include "every now and then", "from time to time", or "occasionally". These phrases all convey the idea that something happens infrequently.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "yet once in a while"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with ""yet once in a while"" might sound a bit awkward. It's often better to place it within the sentence to improve flow.

What's the difference between "yet once in a while" and "once in a blue moon"?

"Yet once in a while" implies something happens infrequently, while "once in a blue moon" suggests it happens very rarely. The latter emphasizes a much lower frequency of occurrence.