Cool MateNow and then vs Occasionally
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Now and then
Top 2,000 (common)
Occasionally
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Now and then | Occasionally | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //naʊ ənd ðɛn//🇺🇸 //naʊ ənd ðɛn// | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkeɪʒnəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkeɪʒnəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Occasionally, not often. | Sometimes, but not often. |
| Example | I like to go hiking now and then. | We occasionally meet for a drink after work. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| 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 | occurs occasionally, rarely used occasionally, happens occasionally |
| Antonyms | - | frequently, often, regularly |
| 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. | Using 'occasionally' when 'often' is more appropriate., Confusing 'occasionally' with 'occasion' (which is a noun)., Adding unnecessary prepositions, e.g., 'occasionally at'. |
| Usage notes | 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. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Now and then vs Occasionally
What's the difference between Now and then and Occasionally?
Now and then: Occasionally, not often. Occasionally: Sometimes, but not often.
Can you show an example of each?
Now and then: I like to go hiking now and then. Occasionally: We occasionally meet for a drink after work.
Can I use Now and then and Occasionally interchangeably?
Not always. 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.