How to say “from time to time” like a native speaker
Occasionally, without a fixed schedule. It is less frequent than “all the time”.
All phrases · Common idioms
Hear “from time to time” in real speech
Clip 1 · Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey Harvard Commencement speech | Harvard Commencement 2013 · 27:58
About this video
Oprah Winfrey speaks to Harvard's graduating class of 2013. In the address, she discusses an interview with parents who lost their son in the Sandy Hook shooting and reflects on responding to difficult experiences.
In context
And today she graduates as a member of the Harvard Class of 2013.From time to time, you may stumble, fall.
You will for sure-- count on this-- no doubt you will have questions,
Clip 2 · VOA Learning English
Coasts, Time change, Open Boat · 24:19
About this video
Caty Weaver and Mario Ritter Jr. introduce a VOA Learning English programme combining vocabulary, health reporting and a story. It covers “coast”, “shore” and “beach”, adjectives and adverbs, time changes, and The Open Boat.
In context
while the other rested round.Pieces of seaweed appeared from time to time.
They were like islands, bits of earth that did not move.
Clip 3 · VOA Learning English
James Madison, Rescued rower, Imagery, Guilty pleasure · 27:17
About this video
Caty Weaver and Mario Ritter Jr. introduce a VOA Learning English programme with slower speech for learners. Its stories include James Madison, the rescue of a Pacific rower, and ways to connect vocabulary with personal experience.
In context
Right. So if I ate cookies every single night, that would not be good.But if I eat them only from time to time, it's not really harmful.
So it's just a guilty pleasure.
When to use “from time to time”
- Describing an occasional hobby: “I still paint from time to time.”
- Keeping in touch without a schedule: “We send each other photos from time to time.”
Common learner mistake
Use singular “time” in both places: “from time to time”, not “from times to times”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “from time to time”
“From” and “to” are often weak, while the two instances of “time” provide the rhythm.
Related phrases
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