an occasional request

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an occasional request" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a request that is made infrequently or not on a regular basis. Example: "I receive an occasional request for assistance from my colleagues, but most of the time, they manage on their own."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sure, there has been the occasional request for an autograph or for him to pose for a picture, but Luck said those instances were handled in a considerate manner.

The New York Times - Sports

There might be the occasional request from one of the players over 30 that he join our light session because of an ache in the legs.

Independent

And obtaining a business permit turned into its own 18-month odyssey, with numerous visits to government offices and the occasional request for bribes.

The New York Times

That is a marked change from previous annual addresses, for which Mr. Silver's office handled the ticketing, including the occasional request from governors and other legislative leaders for extra seats.

The New York Times

However useful to our research, publishing the complete list of available resources does not relate to the occasional request of non-existent resources and may even raise concerns on privacy.

Security Informatics

Best of all is the DVD system that, thanks to the headphones that come with the package, turns what would have otherwise been interminable car rides into quiet interludes punctuated only by the occasional request to go to the bathroom.

Forbes

Ever since he convinced them to fly the cast of his self-produced late night nationally syndicated TV show to Vegas he had hung onto the VIP ticket bookers email address and in addition to sending her the occasional bouquet of roses, would also send in the occasional request for tickets.

Huffington Post

My dealings with Trout are not in a big room where he sits in front of a microphone, but in an Angels clubhouse, with simple nods of recognition and occasional requests for quotes or game-action explanations.

Los Angeles Times

McEnroe is at ease with occasional requests to play off his choleric past.

The New York Times - Sports

However, the proposals would restrict access by all users, including those making only occasional requests.

The Guardian

He has fended off occasional requests to buy the property, which he wants to preserve for his three sons and seven grandchildren.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an occasional request", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the request is infrequent. This helps avoid misinterpretations about the regularity of such requests.

Common error

Avoid using "an occasional request" when the requests are actually more frequent than the term implies. Using more precise language, such as "periodic requests" or "regular requests", might be more appropriate if the requests happen with some predictable regularity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an occasional request" functions as a noun phrase, where "occasional" modifies the noun "request". It describes the characteristic of the request, specifically its infrequency. Ludwig confirms this phrase as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an occasional request" is a grammatically correct and usable way to describe a request that happens infrequently. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media, academic, and wiki contexts. When writing, it's important to use this phrase when you want to clearly communicate that a request is not a regular occurrence. Remember to use "an" instead of "a" before "occasional" because of the vowel sound, and be mindful of not overstating the frequency of the requests.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sporadic request

Replaces 'occasional' with 'sporadic', implying irregularity and infrequency.

an infrequent request

Substitutes 'occasional' with 'infrequent', highlighting the lack of regularity.

an uncommon request

Substitutes 'occasional' with 'uncommon', simply indicating that the request is not frequently made.

a rare request

Uses 'rare' instead of 'occasional' to emphasize the infrequency of the request.

a periodic request

Uses 'periodic' instead of 'occasional', suggesting that the request happens at intervals, but not regularly.

an intermittent request

Replaces 'occasional' with 'intermittent', indicating that the request occurs at irregular intervals.

a chance request

Replaces 'occasional' with 'chance', indicating that the request happens randomly or by accident.

a scattered request

Substitutes 'occasional' with 'scattered', implying that the requests are few and far between.

an isolated request

Substitutes 'occasional' with 'isolated', implying that the request is rare and stands alone.

a one-off request

Replaces 'occasional' with 'one-off', suggesting that the request is unique and not repeated.

FAQs

How can I use "an occasional request" in a sentence?

You can use "an occasional request" to describe something that happens infrequently. For example, "I receive "an occasional request" for help with the software".

What are some alternatives to "an occasional request"?

Alternatives include "a sporadic request", "an infrequent request", or "a rare request". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a occasional request" instead of "an occasional request"?

No, it is incorrect. "Occasional" starts with a vowel sound, so it requires the indefinite article "an" instead of "a". The correct phrase is "an occasional request".

What's the difference between "an occasional request" and "a frequent request"?

"An occasional request" implies that the request is not common or regular, while "a frequent request" indicates that the request is made often. They are opposites in terms of frequency.