How do you use "from time to time" in a sentence?

I still see her from time to time. From time to time, we like to eat out. He calls his parents from time to time.

from time to time

Q: What does "from time to time" mean?

Occasionally; now and then We say 'from time to time' not 'from time in time' or 'time by time'. This is a fixed adverbial phrase meaning occasionally or at irregular intervals.

Collocation BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Occasionally; now and then

偶尔

de vez en cuando

時々

때때로

We say 'from time to time' not 'from time in time' or 'time by time'. This is a fixed adverbial phrase meaning occasionally or at irregular intervals.

我们说'from time to time'而不是'from time in time'或'time by time'。这是一个固定的副词短语，意思是偶尔或不定期地。

Decimos 'from time to time' y no 'from time in time' ni 'time by time'. Es una locución adverbial fija que significa ocasionalmente o a intervalos irregulares.

「from time to time」と言い、「from time in time」や「time by time」とは言いません。これは時折、不規則な間隔で、という意味の固定された副詞句です。

'from time to time'이라고 하며 'from time in time'이나 'time by time'이라고 하지 않습니다. 이것은 가끔 또는 불규칙한 간격으로라는 뜻의 고정된 부사구입니다.

Examples

I still see her from time to time.
我偶尔还能见到她。
Todavía la veo de vez en cuando.
時々まだ彼女に会います。
때때로 아직 그녀를 만납니다.
From time to time, we like to eat out.
我们偶尔喜欢出去吃饭。
De vez en cuando, nos gusta comer fuera.
時々外食するのが好きです。
때때로 외식하는 것을 좋아합니다.
He calls his parents from time to time.
他偶尔给父母打电话。
Llama a sus padres de vez en cuando.
彼は時々両親に電話します。
그는 때때로 부모님께 전화합니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: habits, frequency, casual conversation

Tone: casual

✓ Do Say

I go there from time to time.
我偶尔去那里。
Voy allí de vez en cuando.
時々そこに行きます。
때때로 거기에 갑니다.
From time to time, I wonder.
偶尔我会想。
De vez en cuando, me pregunto.
時々考えます。
때때로 궁금해집니다.
We meet from time to time.
我们偶尔见面。
Nos vemos de vez en cuando.
時々会います。
때때로 만납니다.

✗ Don't Say

I go there from time in time. (use 'to' not 'in' in this expression)
我from time in time去那里。（用'to'而不是'in'来表达这个意思）
Voy allí from time in time. (se usa 'to' y no 'in' en esta expresión)
from time in timeにそこに行きます。（この表現では'in'ではなく'to'を使います）
from time in time 거기에 간다. (이 표현에서는 'in'이 아니라 'to'를 씁니다)
I go there time by time. (use 'from time to time' not 'time by time')
我time by time去那里。（用'from time to time'而不是'time by time'）
Voy allí time by time. (se usa 'from time to time' y no 'time by time')
time by timeにそこに行きます。（'time by time'ではなく'from time to time'を使います）
time by time 거기에 간다. ('time by time'이 아니라 'from time to time'을 씁니다)

Origin & History

Natural English collocation — a fixed expression since the 14th century, implying movement from one point in time to another at irregular intervals.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal