a specific occasion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific occasion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular event or moment that is distinct from others. Example: "We are planning a special dinner to celebrate a specific occasion in our family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

I remember a specific occasion when my parents were furious with me for some reason.

The Guardian - Opinion

A narrative focused on a specific occasion 2.Which of the following does the first section (lines 1-4) imply?

The New York Times

But we were always clear what we wanted them to do, on a specific occasion, and why.

The Guardian

One, "The Artists Wivess" (1885), depicts a specific occasion, lunch at a posh restaurant on the opening day of the official Salon.

The New York Times - Arts

And it is one easily filled by today's generation of mixologists, who regularly compound ingredients to harmonize with a specific occasion and season.

The New York Times - Food

I was initially surprised that, of the services I tested, none suggested the best wine to pair with a specific occasion — like, say, reaching the end of school vacation.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Pitching a perfect game would be like finding the perfect outfit that you need for a very specific occasion in your size on sale at 60percentt off," she said.

The New York Times

Busby Berkeley, justly famous for his spectacularly choreographed and ingeniously photographed musical production numbers, rose to a very specific occasion — the Second World War — to become, much to anyone's surprise, one of the great artists of the particularly hectic wartime spirit.

The New Yorker

Can you tell us about any specific occasions where the human rights of a female family member or friend were violated?

Huffington Post

They were rejected because notions of relevance and utility did not connect on this specific occasion for a specific reviewer [ 45].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

It refers to a specific social occasion in the fourth century, when a group of scholars celebrated a spring festival with a wine-fueled version of a literary tea.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific occasion", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the occasion specific. Providing details will enhance clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific occasion" when a more general term like "event" or "time" would be more appropriate. Ensure the occasion truly warrants the descriptor "specific".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific occasion" functions as a determiner phrase identifying a particular instance or event. As shown by Ludwig, it is used to point out a time, a meeting, or something similar that is well defined and differs from other common activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific occasion" is a grammatically correct determiner phrase used to denote a particular event or time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Although its usage is classified as uncommon, it appears consistently across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science and Wiki. It's important to use this phrase when you intend to highlight the defined and unique nature of an event, contrasting it with broader or more general instances. Be aware that alternatives such as "a particular event" or ""a special occasion"" may be more appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular event

Replaces "occasion" with the more general term "event".

a precise moment

Substitutes "specific occasion" with "precise moment", focusing on a point in time.

a certain instance

Uses "instance" instead of "occasion", suggesting a single occurrence.

a unique event

Emphasizes the singularity of the "occasion" making it irreplaceable.

a special celebration

Implies a festive or significant nature of the "occasion".

a memorable instance

Highlights the notability or importance of a single occurrence or "occasion".

a significant happening

Replaces "occasion" with "happening", emphasizing the importance of the event.

a designated time

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the "occasion".

an appointed juncture

Substitutes "occasion" with the more formal "juncture".

a defined circumstance

Highlights the surrounding conditions of the "occasion".

FAQs

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

You can use "a specific occasion" to refer to a particular event or time. For example, "The dress code is only required for "a special occasion"".

What's the difference between "a specific occasion" and ""a special occasion""?

"A specific occasion" refers to a particular event that is clearly defined, while ""a special occasion"" implies that the event is also significant or celebratory.

What can I say instead of "a specific occasion"?

You can use alternatives like "a particular event", "a precise moment", or "a certain instance" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "a specific occasion", or are there times when "any occasion" is more fitting?

Use "a specific occasion" when you want to emphasize that your statement applies to a particular, well-defined event. Use "any occasion" when your statement applies to all events, regardless of their nature.