exceptional occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceptional occasions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to special or rare events that stand out from the norm. Example: "We only celebrate with a grand feast on exceptional occasions, such as anniversaries or major holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But these performances were exceptional occasions, mainly in large and far-from-intimate settings.

The New Yorker

There are, however, exceptional occasions where conservative figures have embraced socially progressive causes.

The New York Times

He has taken to giving an annual address before the French Parliament at Versailles, something that previous leaders reserved for exceptional occasions.

The New Yorker

She spent time in the gardens only on the exceptional occasions that her mother visited, the two of them walking a constrictive figure eight while Finch's mother worried a set of rosary beads, discreetly weeping, and Finch marvelled at her mother's two curious pairs of eyebrows as they got going, the real pair crumpling beneath the fake, which sat a whole inch higher, drawn in pencil.

The New Yorker

He told me that he never really hits on girls in the street, only "on exceptional occasions, when a woman is as beautiful as you are".

Vice

The unexceptional man's ability to stay grounded at exceptional occasions, as I understand dignity can be defined in Japan, seems to overlap with the idea of pride.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

What an exceptional occasion in which fowl is fair.

The Guardian

I said, 'Well, this is an exceptional occasion, of course.' But it's been that way ever since".

The New York Times

In the meantime, it's an added benefit to the exceptional occasion that the director will be on hand.

The New Yorker

Over the years, Max Mirnyi, Mario Ancic, Tomas Berdych and Ivan Ljubicic have formed a 6-foot-4-and-over league of players who have, on exceptional occasion, stolen a match from beneath Federer's greatness.

The New York Times - Sports

When gorillas use tools, Breuer says, "it's an exceptional occasion".

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceptional occasions" to add emphasis to events that deviate from the norm, indicating their importance or rarity.

Common error

Avoid using "exceptional occasions" too frequently; reserve it for truly unique or special instances to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptional occasions" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "exceptional" modifies the noun "occasions". It describes events that are noteworthy and distinct from the usual, as seen in Ludwig's examples from news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceptional occasions" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, referring to special or rare events. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to highlight the rarity and significance of specific events. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While "exceptional occasions" is appropriate for formal writing, it is versatile enough to be used in various communication styles. When employing the phrase, ensure it is reserved for truly unique instances to maintain its impact and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

special events

Focuses on the event being out of the ordinary, emphasizing its distinction from routine occurrences.

rare instances

Highlights the infrequency of the events, stressing how uncommon they are.

unique circumstances

Emphasizes the distinct nature of the situation, suggesting a set of conditions that don't often align.

uncommon events

Simple substitution highlighting the infrequency of the occasions.

noteworthy instances

Highlights that the occasions are worth paying attention to, emphasizing their significance.

singular events

Stresses the unique and individual nature of the occurrences, setting them apart from others.

distinct situations

Focuses on the fact that the circumstances are different from typical scenarios.

remarkable instances

Highlights the quality of being particularly worthy of attention.

outstanding events

Emphasizes the superior quality of the event compared to ordinary occurrences.

unprecedented occasions

Implies that the occasions have never happened before, adding a sense of historical uniqueness.

FAQs

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

"Exceptional occasions" is used to describe events that are special or rare. For instance, "We only bring out the fine china on exceptional occasions."

What are some alternatives to "exceptional occasions"?

You can use alternatives like "special events", "rare instances", or "unique circumstances" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very exceptional occasions"?

Yes, adding "very" is often redundant because "exceptional" already implies something out of the ordinary. It's generally better to just use "exceptional occasions".

What's the difference between "special occasions" and "exceptional occasions"?

"Special occasions" refers to events that are important or celebrated, while "exceptional occasions" suggests events that are particularly unique, rare, and out of the ordinary. "Exceptional" emphasizes rarity and uniqueness more strongly than "special".