can occasionally be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can occasionally be" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that happens occasionally or sporadically. For example: - "Although the weather in this city can be quite unpredictable, it can occasionally be pleasant in the summer." - "As a vegetarian, I can occasionally be tempted to try a bite of meat if it looks especially tasty." - "While she is generally a calm and collected person, she can occasionally be quite emotional when discussing her family." - "The train schedule can be unreliable, but it will occasionally be on time." - "I know she may seem intimidating, but she can occasionally be very kind and compassionate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But declines, like vasectomies and windbreakers, can occasionally be reversed.

The New Yorker

And the public can, occasionally, be nice.

The Economist

The generosity displayed can occasionally be humbling.

Independent

They can occasionally be extremely difficult.

Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine

The process can occasionally be humiliating.

Harvard Business Review

Web junkies can occasionally be swept up in a book.

The New York Times - Books

Responses across the board can occasionally be slow or jerky.

MIT Technology Review

"Unfortunately, even the best systems can occasionally be breached.

The Guardian

Still, a voice of black identity can occasionally be heard.

The New York Times

It can occasionally be awkward when you win an award known as the "genius" grant.

Harvard University

Orlov has plenty of offensive skill, but he can occasionally be a defensive liability.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can occasionally be" to express that something is possible but not always the case. It adds nuance, preventing generalizations. For example, "While the service is usually fast, it "can occasionally be" slow during peak hours."

Common error

Avoid overusing "can occasionally be" in your writing, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and uninspired. Instead, vary your language by using alternatives such as "sometimes", "may rarely be", or "infrequently" to add interest and precision to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can occasionally be" functions as a modal phrase indicating possibility combined with a modifier of frequency. It suggests that something is possible, but not a frequent or consistent occurrence. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and used to describe something that happens occasionally or sporadically.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can occasionally be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express that something is possible but not always the case. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct. It finds application across various domains, including news, science, and general writing, indicating a neutral register. While it is suitable for most writing styles, overuse should be avoided to prevent repetitiveness. Consider employing alternatives like "may sometimes be" or "might rarely be" to diversify your writing and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may sometimes be

Replaces "can" with "may", suggesting possibility rather than ability, and "occasionally" with "sometimes", indicating frequency.

might rarely be

Substitutes "can" with "might", expressing a lower probability, and "occasionally" with "rarely", denoting infrequency.

could infrequently be

Replaces "can" with "could", indicating possibility, and "occasionally" with "infrequently", denoting less frequent occurrence.

is sometimes able to be

Adds "able to" which implies that the subject has the capability of "being" something, while using "sometimes" for frequency.

happens from time to time

This is a more idiomatic way of saying something occurs periodically or now and then.

occurs sporadically

This version emphasizes the irregular nature of the occurrence.

is liable to be at times

This indicates a tendency for something to happen under certain circumstances.

is apt to be now and then

Similar to "liable to be", but with a slightly more casual tone and emphasis on the intermittent nature.

will intermittently be

This focuses on the on-and-off nature of the occurrence, rather than just its infrequency.

is subject to being every so often

This implies that something is under the influence or control of another factor that causes it to happen periodically.

FAQs

How can I use "can occasionally be" in a sentence?

You can use "can occasionally be" to indicate that something is possible, but not a frequent occurrence. For example, "The weather in this region "can occasionally be" unpredictable."

What are some alternatives to "can occasionally be"?

Alternatives to "can occasionally be" include phrases such as "may sometimes be", "might rarely be", or "could infrequently be", which offer slight variations in meaning and emphasis.

Is it better to use "sometimes is" instead of "can occasionally be"?

While "sometimes is" is grammatically correct, "can occasionally be" often provides a more nuanced meaning. "Can occasionally be" suggests a possibility that is not always realized, whereas "sometimes is" simply indicates that something happens some of the time. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "can occasionally be" and "is usually"?

"Can occasionally be" suggests something happens infrequently, whereas "is usually" implies that something is a common occurrence. For example, "The train "can occasionally be" delayed" suggests delays are rare, while "The train is usually on time" suggests punctuality is the norm.