every now and then

IPA/ˈɛvɹɪ nˈaʊ and ðˈɛn/
IPA/ˈɛvɹi nˈaʊ ænd ðˈɛn/

every now and then — 慣用語

1. happening at irregular or widely spaced moments, not following a fixed schedule

1.慣用語B1
釋義

偶爾；有時

某事不定期地、間歇地發生

happening at irregular or widely spaced moments, not following a fixed schedule or routine — for example, visiting a friend once every few months, or checking a news site when you remember to.

例句

Mira still calls her college roommate every now and then to chat about old times.

Mira 仍然偶爾會打電話給大學室友，聊聊以前的事。

every now and then at end of main clause

The Watanabe family eats out every now and then, usually on special occasions.

渡邊一家偶爾會外出用餐，通常是在特別的場合。

同義詞
反義詞
  • all the time

    implies high frequency or constant action

  • constantly

    suggests no breaks or interruptions

  • regularly

    implies a fixed schedule, the opposite of irregular intervals

文法句型

every now and then + [clause]

[clause] + every now and then

用法筆記

The phrase is fixed — do not change the word order or replace any part (❌ 'every sometimes and then'). It is slightly more informal than 'occasionally' but less casual than 'every so often'. Frequently paired with time markers like 'still' or 'even now' to contrast with a past habit.

常見錯誤

❌Every now and then I am going to the gym.
✅Every now and then I go to the gym.
💡Use simple present or present perfect for recurring actions, not present continuous.
❌I visit my grandmother every now and then in the weekends.
✅I visit my grandmother every now and then on weekends.
💡The phrase already conveys irregularity; adding 'every' to 'weekends' creates a contradiction.