Now and then vs Sometimes lieutenant dan came too

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Now and then

Top 2,000 (common)

Sometimes lieutenant dan came too

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Most common: Now and then

	Now and then	Sometimes lieutenant dan came too
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //naʊ ənd ðɛn// 🇺🇸 //naʊ ənd ðɛn//	🇬🇧 //sʌmˈtaɪmz luːˈtɛnənt dæn keɪm tuː// 🇺🇸 //sʌmˈtaɪmz luˈtɛnənt dæn keɪm tu//
Meaning	Occasionally, not often.	A phrase from the movie 'Forrest Gump' that reflects a character's experience.
Example	I like to go hiking now and then.	In the movie, sometimes lieutenant dan came too when Forrest needed support.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Collocations	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	came too, lieutenant dan, Forrest Gump
Common mistakes	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.	Misquoting the phrase, as it is iconic., Using in inappropriate contexts, like formal discussions.
Usage notes	Used in everyday conversation and informal writing. Avoid in formal contexts. Can indicate unpredictability or infrequency.	Used informally, often in reference to the character Lieutenant Dan from 'Forrest Gump'. Not suitable for formal writing.

See it in real clips

Sherlock › S1 E1

Now and then, yes.

Now and then

Sometimes Lieutenant Dan came, too,

Sometimes lieutenant dan came too

Frequently asked questions: Now and then vs Sometimes lieutenant dan came too

What's the difference between Now and then and Sometimes lieutenant dan came too?

Now and then: Occasionally, not often. Sometimes lieutenant dan came too: A phrase from the movie 'Forrest Gump' that reflects a character's experience.

Which is more common: Now and then and Sometimes lieutenant dan came too?

Now and then is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Now and then: I like to go hiking now and then. Sometimes lieutenant dan came too: In the movie, sometimes lieutenant dan came too when Forrest needed support.

Can I use Now and then and Sometimes lieutenant dan came too interchangeably?

Not always. Now and then and Sometimes lieutenant dan came too 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.