Misused phrase: 'ever so often (every so often)'

Have you ever come across the phrase "ever so often" or used it yourself? Well, you may be surprised to learn that this expression is actually a common mistake in most writing. The correct phrase is "every so often."

When we say "every so often," we mean something happens at regular intervals or occasionally, without specifying a specific time frame. For example:

• I like to go for a walk every so often to clear my head.
• We meet up for coffee every so often to catch up.

On the other hand, when we say "ever so often," it means something happens frequently or happening repeatedly more often than expected. However, this phrase is considered non-standard and is not widely accepted in formal writing or grammar rules. For example:

• She calls me ever so often to ask for advice.
• He makes the same mistake ever so often despite being warned.

As you can see, the distinction between "every so often" and "ever so often" is significant, and using the wrong phrase can lead to confusion or even incorrect interpretation of your intended meaning.

Linguix grammar checker can help you identify and correct this common mistake, ensuring your writing is accurate, clear, and error-free.