a certain occasion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain occasion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific event or moment that is not explicitly named or detailed. Example: "I remember a certain occasion when we all gathered to celebrate her birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Hence, on a certain occasion, when they were involved in war with the Romans, they resisted for a very long time.

University of Chicago

A tempest, on a certain occasion, having exceedingly agitated the trees in a particular spot, the friction between some of the branches caused them to take fire; this so alarmed those in the neighbourhood of the accident, that they betook themselves to flight.

University of Chicago

If there are no explanatory relations between mental and physical properties, how is it possible that the psychological generalization that some individual will, given that he has certain reasons, open an umbrella on a certain occasion, predict an event that is also (under a different description) predicted by the physical laws?

SEP

Data MNAR is the most likely mechanism to operate in longitudinal studies of aging, where the probability of an individual not being seen at a certain occasion depends on the individual's delirium status (unobserved) at that same occasion.

American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Think when you dress up for a certain occasion; do you find something appropriate to wear?

WikiHow

You may want to plan the cookout for a certain occasion, such as the Fourth of July or your birthday.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The prepared tea is usually thin and frothy with a mildly astringent flavour; on certain occasions a much thicker "heavy tea" (koicha) is made.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead of saying you do not have any weaknesses, try any of the weakness responses mentioned above -- you can speak to a weakness that only arises on certain occasions, a weakness that is apparent from either your resume or after having a conversation with you or a weakness involving a non-essential skill.

Huffington Post

"Under certain circumstances, there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea," Henry James declares in the opening of "The Portrait of a Lady". "From five o'clock to eight is on certain occasions a little eternity; but on such an occasion as this the interval could be only an eternity of pleasure". Five until eight that is an eternity!

The New Yorker

And while it carries a certain special-occasion cachet internationally, sushi is by no means the Japanese zenith of gastronomy.

BBC

Turing didn't ask whether a machine could sometimes, on certain occasions, convince a human judge that it too is human; he asked whether a machine could do so reliably, scoring at least as well as humans on average.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain occasion" when you want to refer to an event without explicitly naming it, creating a sense of mystery or discretion. This can be useful in storytelling or when the specific details are not important.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain occasion" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your prose sound vague and less engaging. If the details are relevant, provide them instead of relying on this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain occasion" functions as a noun phrase, acting as an object of a verb or a subject within a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it refers to an unspecified event or moment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a certain occasion" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to refer to an unspecified event or moment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, including academic, news, and general writing. While versatile, it is important to avoid overusing vague language and provide specific details when necessary. The phrase finds its place across diverse authoritative sources, signaling its established presence in the English language. Be mindful of the degree of formality needed in writing, which may be adjusted to become more specific in formal environments and more ambiguous in informal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular instance

Replaces "occasion" with "instance", focusing on a single occurrence of something.

a specific event

Substitutes "occasion" with "event", emphasizing that something happened.

a given situation

Shifts the focus to the circumstances surrounding the event.

a precise moment

Highlights the exact timing rather than the event itself.

a specific juncture

More formal alternative emphasizing a critical point in time.

a set instance

Highlights that something is pre-arranged.

a special event

Replaces "occasion" with "event", focusing on the relevance.

an individual occurrence

Changes "occasion" with "occurrence", focusing on the event.

a unique instance

Highlights the singularity of the event.

an appointed moment

Changes focus to the act of appointment.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain occasion" in a sentence?

You can use "a certain occasion" to refer to a specific event without naming it directly. For example, "I remember a certain occasion when we all went to the beach." This suggests an event that is known but not specified.

What phrases are similar to "a certain occasion"?

Alternatives to "a certain occasion" include "a particular event", "a specific instance", or "a given situation". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a certain occasion" or name the event directly?

Whether to use "a certain occasion" or name the event depends on the context. Use "a certain occasion" when the specific details are unimportant or when you want to create a sense of mystery. Naming the event directly provides clarity and specificity.

Can "a certain occasion" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a certain occasion" can be used in formal writing, but it's generally better to be more specific if possible. In less formal contexts, it's perfectly acceptable and adds a touch of narrative flair.