Meaning & use
every so often
Last updated
UK/ˌev.ri səʊ ˈɒf.ən/
US/ˌev.ri soʊ ˈɔː.fən/
Meaning
adverbnot comparable
From time to time but not regularly or very frequently.
Grammar: Can start a sentence or follow the verb: every so often we visit.
Patterns
- do something every so often
We eat out every so often, usually on birthdays.
Every so often my neighbor knocks to borrow a tool.
She calls her cousin every so often to catch up.
Common combinations
- visit every so often
- They visit their old school every so often.
- check every so often
- Check the oven every so often to make sure nothing burns.
- happen every so often
- Power cuts happen every so often here.
- treat yourself every so often
- It's fine to treat yourself every so often.
- look up every so often
- He looked up every so often from his book.
Synonyms and how they differ
- occasionally
- Occasionally is more formal and neutral, but also means not often.
- now and then
- Now and then is very close in meaning and equally casual.
- from time to time
- From time to time is slightly more formal and also used in writing.
- once in a while
- Once in a while suggests a longer gap than every so often.
Opposites
constantlyall the time
Word family
- often adverb
- many times
- oft adverb
- old-fashioned word for often
- occasional adjective
- happening now and then
Commonly confused: every so often or ever so often?
every so often vs ever so often
This is a common mistake. The standard phrase is every so often; ever so often is not standard.
Practice
We don't go to the cinema much, only ___.
Choose one answer.
Every so often means occasionally. All the time means constantly, which contradicts not going much.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “every so often”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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