Cool MateFrom time to time vs Now and then vs Occasionally
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
From time to time
Top 1,000 (very common)
Now and then
Top 2,000 (common)
Occasionally
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Most common: From time to time
| From time to time | Now and then | Occasionally | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //frəm taɪm tə taɪm//🇺🇸 //frəm taɪm tə taɪm// | 🇬🇧 //naʊ ənd ðɛn//🇺🇸 //naʊ ənd ðɛn// | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkeɪʒnəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkeɪʒnəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Sometimes, but not often. | Occasionally, not often. | Sometimes, but not often. |
| Example | From time to time, I enjoy reading novels. | I like to go hiking now and then. | We occasionally meet for a drink after work. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | ||
| Collocations | check in from time to time, occurs from time to time, remind from time to time | meet now and then, visit now and then, feel happy now and then, do something exciting now and then, give a call now and then | occurs occasionally, rarely used occasionally, happens occasionally |
| Antonyms | - | - | frequently, often, regularly |
| Common mistakes | Using in formal writing where specific timing is needed., Confusing with 'every now and then' which implies a similar but slightly different frequency. | Confused with 'now and again' — slightly different but similar meaning., Used incorrectly in past tense — should indicate present or future., Incorrectly combined with more specific time references. | Using 'occasionally' when 'often' is more appropriate., Confusing 'occasionally' with 'occasion' (which is a noun)., Adding unnecessary prepositions, e.g., 'occasionally at'. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase in informal and neutral contexts to indicate a frequency that is not regular. It is suitable for conversations, writing, but may be less formal in serious texts. | Used in everyday conversation and informal writing. Avoid in formal contexts. Can indicate unpredictability or infrequency. | Used in both spoken and written English. It often implies that something happens at irregular intervals, which makes it less formal than some alternatives, but still appropriate for most contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: From time to time vs Now and then vs Occasionally
What's the difference between From time to time, Now and then, and Occasionally?
From time to time: Sometimes, but not often. Now and then: Occasionally, not often. Occasionally: Sometimes, but not often.
Which is more common: From time to time, Now and then, and Occasionally?
From time to time is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
From time to time: From time to time, I enjoy reading novels. Now and then: I like to go hiking now and then. Occasionally: We occasionally meet for a drink after work.
Can I use From time to time, Now and then, and Occasionally interchangeably?
Not always. From time to time, Now and then, and Occasionally are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.