"every now and again" 是一个频率副词短语,核心含义是“偶尔;时不时地;间或”,用来描述不频繁但有规律的重复动作(频率低于 "often",高于 "rarely")。
它与另一个短语 "every now and then" 几乎完全同义,可以互换使用。
该短语通常作为状语,修饰动词或整个句子,位置灵活(句首、句中、句末均可),但更常见于句末或句中。
强调动作的频率,突出“偶尔做某事”。
I like to rewatch my favorite movie every now and again.(我偶尔会重看我最爱的电影。)
We used to go hiking together every now and again when we were in college.(大学时我们时不时会一起去徒步。)
用于更紧凑的句子结构,不影响语义。
She every now and again forgets to turn off the lights when leaving home.(她偶尔会忘记出门关灯。)
He checks his email every now and again during the meeting.(开会时他时不时会查邮件。)
用逗号隔开,引出句子核心动作。
Every now and again, I’ll treat myself to a fancy coffee.(偶尔我会犒劳自己一杯高级咖啡。)
可搭配一般现在时(描述习惯)、一般过去时(描述过去的习惯)或将来时(描述未来可能的偶尔动作)。
Present: My mom bakes cookies every now and again.(我妈妈偶尔会烤饼干。)
Past: When I was a kid, we visited the zoo every now and again.(我小时候我们时不时去动物园。)
Future: I’ll probably call you every now and again while I’m away.(我不在时可能会偶尔给你打电话。)
occasionally(正式/书面)
from time to time(中性)
once in a while(口语化)
now and then(同 "every now and again")
不要与“every time”(每次)或“often”(经常)混淆:
I go to the gym often(经常去), but I eat pizza every now and again(偶尔吃).
总结:"every now and again" 是表达“偶尔重复”的常用口语短语,适用场景广泛,只要动作是“不频繁但定期发生”,都可以用它描述~