Occasionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Occasionally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens from time to time, but not regularly or frequently. Example: "I occasionally go for a walk in the park to clear my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Opinion

Tech

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When we are on the tube, occasionally I have to say to a member of the public that my son is autistic and that I'm sorry he is staring.

The Guardian - Opinion

If there is one thing that has occasionally held her back, it has been her movement, with her tall frame not always easy to manoeuvre quickly enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Occasionally one ripped past the outside edge to groans, oohs and aahs.

The Guardian - Sport

Occasionally, someone will stick their head around the huge wooden door of the church of St Peter and St Paul in Great Casterton and, on spotting the vicar, express surprise.

The Guardian

Occasionally they get more people to show up, but they've carried the weight for two years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once in, I sat on the grass, hoping, hoping, hoping to get a touch of the ball, as it sped over the so, so smooth field, my feet occasionally, rakishly, rebelliously, resting over the rope to show just how cool I was.

The Guardian - Sport

In an episode broadcast in Britain in 2012, Peppa Pig and family are introduced to Gabriella Goat, who shows Peppa around her village in Italy while occasionally bleating.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tate Modern became almost too popular for its own good, a heaving cultural souk – acutely in need of its planned extension – where art can occasionally be seen between massed heads and shoulders.

The Guardian - Arts

The story's a bit old – this week it celebrates its ninth anniversary, in fact – but you'll still find it mentioned occasionally in latterday attacks on the act.

The Guardian - Opinion

I had been prepared to hate it at times, even occasionally to regret coming, but I hadn't expected it to be a constant struggle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Occasionally referred to as being part of the "deep" web, the data accessed through Tor is unindexed by search engines, making it, in a sense, invisible.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place "occasionally" before the verb it modifies for emphasis, or after the verb for a more subtle tone.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "occasionally" in formal or scientific writing where precise frequency terms are preferred. Opt for more specific adverbs like "sporadically", "intermittently", or provide numerical data instead.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "occasionally" primarily functions to modify verbs, indicating the frequency of an action or event. Ludwig's examples showcase this, clarifying that the action happens at irregular intervals. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Lifestyle

17%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Tech

5%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Occasionally" is an adverb used to denote that an action or event happens from time to time, but not regularly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various writing contexts. Found frequently in news, lifestyle, and sports articles, it carries a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. Consider alternatives like "sometimes" or "from time to time" for slight variations in meaning. Using it effectively means understanding it represents an irregular frequency, somewhere between rarely and frequently.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

From time to time

Emphasizes the intermittent nature of the occurrence.

Now and then

Highlights the sporadic and infrequent nature of the event.

Sometimes

A more general term indicating that something happens in some instances but not always.

At times

Focuses on specific moments when something occurs.

Once in a while

Stresses the rarity of the occurrence.

Every so often

Suggests irregular but somewhat predictable intervals.

On occasion

Highlights specific instances or events.

Now and again

Similar to "now and then" but slightly more informal.

At intervals

Indicates occurrences separated by periods of time.

Periodically

Implies occurrences at somewhat regular but not frequent intervals.

FAQs

How can I use "occasionally" in a sentence?

"Occasionally" is typically used as an adverb to indicate that something happens from time to time. For example, "I "occasionally" go for a walk in the park." You can place it before the verb or after an auxiliary verb.

What are some alternatives to "occasionally"?

You can use alternatives like "sometimes", "from time to time", or "now and then" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance of frequency.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "occasionally"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "Occasionally" is grammatically correct and can be used for emphasis or to transition between ideas. For instance, "Occasionally, I visit my family in another state."

What's the difference between "occasionally" and "frequently"?

"Occasionally" means something happens at infrequent intervals, while "frequently" implies that something happens often or at short intervals. The choice depends on the actual frequency you wish to convey.