a few occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few occasions" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to an unspecified number of instances or times. For example, "We have met on a few occasions over the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Third base on more than a few occasions.

The New Yorker

On a few occasions I've told seatmates that story.

The New York Times

I personally experienced this on a few occasions.

The New Yorker

Hot Spot just hasn't worked on a few occasions.

Independent

He had been helpful on a few occasions.

The New Yorker

Then, on a few occasions the slides didn't advance.

The Guardian - Tech

On a few occasions she made an attempt.

The New York Times - Books

On a few occasions, it even gets a little dangerous.

The New York Times

On a few occasions, this led to their permanent separation.

The New York Times - Arts

On a few occasions in 1995, the pound dipped below DM2.20.

The Economist

On a few occasions the sheriff said: No, that wasn't me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few occasions" to indicate that something has happened more than once, but not frequently. It's a good middle ground between "once" and "many times."

Common error

While acceptable, "a few occasions" can sound less precise in formal contexts. Consider more specific language like "on three separate instances" or "during several key events" for added clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few occasions" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the frequency or timing of an action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It indicates that something has occurred more than once, but not frequently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few occasions" is a versatile and commonly used expression that serves to indicate that an event has occurred more than once, but not with great frequency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Analysis of numerous examples reveals that it is particularly prevalent in News & Media, but also finds application in Science, Wiki and Business contexts. Its neutral register allows it to fit seamlessly into diverse writing styles, from formal reports to informal narratives. When more precision is required, alternatives like "several instances" or "on three separate instances" can offer greater clarity. While the phrase is deemed correct, keep in mind that in formal writing you may require greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on some occasions

Substitutes "a few" with "some", maintaining the sense of limited frequency.

in a few instances

Replaces "occasions" with "instances", providing a synonymous alternative.

several instances

Replaces "few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger but still indefinite number of times.

on rare occasions

Emphasizes the infrequency or unusual nature of the events.

a couple of times

Specifies a quantity (two) while still suggesting infrequency.

a limited number of times

More formal and explicitly states the restriction in quantity.

a handful of times

Emphasizes a small number using a more figurative expression.

in certain instances

Focuses on the specific nature of the situations when something happens.

from time to time

Suggests recurrence at irregular intervals, similar to occasional events.

every so often

Implies sporadic or infrequent occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "a few occasions" in a sentence?

You can use "a few occasions" to indicate something has happened more than once but not often. For example, "I have seen him "a few occasions" at the library."

What are some alternatives to "a few occasions"?

Some alternatives to "a few occasions" include "several instances", "on some occasions", or "a couple of times", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a few occasions" or "several occasions"?

"A few occasions" and "several occasions" are similar, but "several" suggests a slightly larger number. Use whichever best fits the number of instances you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a few occasions" and "rarely"?

"A few occasions" indicates that something has happened more than once, while "rarely" implies it happens very infrequently or almost never. "A few occasions" suggests more frequency than "rarely".