on and off vs off and on

Both "on and off" and "off and on" are correct phrases in English. They are used interchangeably to describe something that happens intermittently or irregularly. The choice between the two is often a matter of personal preference or the specific context in which they are used.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 205 views

on and off

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe something that happens intermittently or irregularly.

This phrase is used to indicate that something happens in a repeated or irregular manner, with periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity.

Examples:

The light was flickering on and off all night.
He has been working on and off on this project for months.
The internet connection is on and off in this area.
She has been feeling sick on and off for a while.
The car's engine was running on and off.

Show examples from the web [+]

Tonight, we celebrate excellence on and off the field.
Native American news, your source for news on and off the reservation.
Yes, on and off for eight years.
We went out for about five years, on and off.
This number represents the man I am on and off the field.
Leaders on and off the field.
He slept here on and off for a couple of years.
People on and off, sitting next to him.
Been having them for days on and off.
A year, on and off.
A while, on and off.
Guy's a liability on and off the ice.
We've been interrogating them on and off for 66 years.
Throw the switch on and off.
It makes them easier to pull on and off.
That, I can turn on and off pretty much instantly.
We're partners on and off the force, so stop talking.
It turns the chip on and off.
Then we started seeing each other on and off.
Got on and off the plane with no hiccups thanks to you.

Alternatives:

off and on
intermittently
sporadically
periodically
inconsistently

off and on

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe something that happens intermittently or irregularly.

This phrase is used to indicate that something happens in a repeated or irregular manner, with periods of inactivity followed by periods of activity.

Examples:

The power kept going off and on during the storm.
He has been studying off and on for the exam.
The TV signal is off and on in this area.
She has been working out off and on for a few weeks.
The internet connection is off and on today.

Show examples from the web [+]

We saw each other off and on, mostly in the city.
Apparently, Amoka stayed at the shelter off and on for two months.
My mother remained in that job, off and on, until she retired.
Five years, off and on.
We were off and on that year.
Well, it's off and on.
We were off and on for years.
We were close for a long time off and on.
Some people say I turn it off and on.
Flicking the lights off and on.
We dated off and on since first year.
When you say "off and on"...
Phone lines keep going off and on.
He also worked off and on as a dialogue director.
Reconstruction continued off and on until 1901 when the church reopened.
It was raining off and on all day yesterday.
Once installed this application perhaps we should turn off and on the phone again.
Lake Marian-Good bluegill fishing turns off and on without warning.
You can use theater mode to turn your screen off and on.
To restore the normal working conditions it is necessary to turn off and on the power.

Alternatives:

on and off
intermittently
sporadically
periodically
inconsistently

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