Meaning & use
on and off
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Happening for short periods, then stopping, then starting again, not continuously.
Grammar: Used like an adverb to describe how often something happens; it does not change form.
Patterns
- on and off for + period
- do something on and off
She's been learning Spanish on and off for about five years.
The rain fell on and off all afternoon, so we stayed inside.
He worked on and off as a waiter while he was at college.
phrasefixed phrase
In a way that keeps switching between two states, such as working and not working.
Grammar: Often used after verbs like 'go' or 'be' to show a repeated pattern.
Patterns
- go on and off
- be on and off
The lights went on and off during the storm.
Their internet connection has been on and off all morning.
Common combinations
- on and off for years
- They've been dating on and off for years.
- on and off all day
- The baby cried on and off all day.
- go on and off
- The heating goes on and off by itself.
- work on and off
- He works on and off as a delivery driver.
Synonyms and how they differ
- intermittently
- More formal and often used in writing; it emphasizes regular gaps rather than a casual pattern.
- occasionally
- Means from time to time, but does not suggest the same repeated stopping and starting.
Opposites
Commonly confused: on and off or off and on?
on and off vs off and on
Same meaning, but the order is reversed; both are common, though 'on and off' is slightly more frequent.
Practice
Choose the best sentence.
Choose one answer.
'On and off' is the correct phrase and is followed by 'for' when giving a period. 'In and off' and 'on and on' are different phrases with different meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on and off”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.