On and off means with breaks: something starts, stops and starts again. It rained on and off throughout the walk. Off and on means the same. Before a noun, use hyphens: an on-and-off relationship, together, then apart, then together again.
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do something on and off; on and off for / since ...; also off and on
- I've worked on the family history on and off for six years.
- It rained on and off throughout the walk.
- They stayed in touch on and off after college.
What changed
First versionThe internet connection worked on or off all afternoon.
RevisionThe internet connection worked on and off all afternoon.
Working, not working sounds like two options, so or seems logical: on or off. But or asks you to choose one of them. Switching back and forth takes and: on and off.
From time to time means occasionally. On and off is about interruptions: you start, stop, come back. All the time means constantly, with no breaks.
Your turn
It kept raining, stopping, and starting again: It rained on ___ off all morning.
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and — The rain kept starting and stopping, so it's on and off. Or would mean choosing one of the two.
Describe an activity you've come back to with breaks, and say for how long, using on and off.
I've studied photography on and off since university.
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