From time to time means sometimes, now and again, but not regularly. The phrase shows that something happens irregularly and not very often: I still see my old classmates from time to time. It is neutral, so it works in both conversation and essays.
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From time to time(,) + clause; clause + from time to time
- From time to time my manager asks me to present our results at the monthly meeting.
- We still meet for coffee from time to time, even though we live in different cities.
- It's normal to forget a word from time to time when you speak a foreign language.
What changed
First versionTime from time I read the news in English on my phone.
RevisionFrom time to time I read the news in English on my phone.
Time from time mixes up the word order. The fixed phrase is from time to time: from at the start, to in the middle. Only the phrase itself has changed.
Sometimes can go before the verb: I sometimes cook. From time to time hardly ever goes there, because it sounds clumsy. Put it at the beginning or the end of the sentence instead: I cook from time to time. In frequency it is close to every so often and now and then.
Your turn
I don't go to the gym regularly, but I go ___, maybe twice a month.
Show the answer
from time to time — Not regularly, about twice a month, is exactly what from time to time means. All the time means constantly and contradicts the start of the sentence.
Write about an activity you come back to now and again. Use from time to time and say roughly how often you do it and why not more often.
I play chess online from time to time, about once a month, because I rarely have a free evening.
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