it occasionally happens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it occasionally happens" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that does not occur frequently but does happen from time to time. Example: "While most days are predictable, it occasionally happens that unexpected challenges arise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It occasionally happens when I'm interval training too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He wrote, "It occasionally happens that this underworld becomes a political power and changes the course of history".

The New York Times

And it occasionally happens that this underworld becomes a political power and changes the course of history".

The Guardian

"It is not common in a class case for the certified class representative to object to a class settlement, although it occasionally happens".

The Guardian - Tech

It occasionally happens – Pete Sampras changed from a two-handed to one-handed backhand midway through his career and that paid dividends – but what Boris Becker is looking to do is to make a tweak here and there.

Independent

Indeed, Ms. Lenane's first question to those who step into an apartment she is showing is "Are you working with a broker?" But she said that attracting business — while it occasionally happens — was not her primary goal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It happened for me on occasion, and it occasionally happened that the SATC ladies were just minding their own business when a guy approached them.

Huffington Post

It only occasionally happens that the year's best movie is among the nominees for Best Picture, and this is one of those years, with "Get Out" on the list of nine.

The New Yorker

Mendelsohn begins his account with a startling childhood experience: at gatherings of his extended family, many of them survivors of the massacred Jewish community of Bolechow, Poland (now Ukraine), "it would occasionally happen that I would walk into a room and certain people would begin to cry".

The New York Times - Books

"But it only very occasionally happens with respect to large civic undertakings and large commercial developments," said Richard Weinstein, professor of architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles, "and Caltrans is a great exception".

The New York Times

But it must occasionally happen, mustn't it, that an artist revisits a piece he's made a quarter of a century before and thinks, "I don't remember it looking anything like that!" The first instinct, as with that common experience we all have with works revisited, is to think that the piece has altered in some way – or that our memory is in some way faulty.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it occasionally happens", consider providing context or explanation for why the event is not more frequent. This adds depth and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it occasionally happens" too frequently within a single piece of writing. This can make your text sound repetitive and weaken the impact of the phrase. Opt for synonyms or rephrase sentences to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it occasionally happens" functions as an impersonal statement indicating that an event or situation occurs at irregular intervals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it occasionally happens" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate that an event occurs from time to time, but not regularly. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedia writing. While useful for adding nuance, avoid overuse to maintain impact. Consider alternatives like "it sometimes occurs" or "it happens from time to time" for variety. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential pitfalls, you can effectively integrate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it sometimes occurs

Replaces "occasionally happens" with "sometimes occurs", suggesting a similar frequency but with different wording.

it happens from time to time

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the idea of something occurring intermittently.

it occurs sporadically

Emphasizes the irregular nature of the occurrence using the adverb "sporadically".

it arises periodically

Suggests that the event happens at certain intervals, although not necessarily regular ones.

it crops up now and then

Uses a more informal, idiomatic expression to indicate infrequent appearance.

it rears its head from time to time

More figurative, implying a problem or issue that resurfaces occasionally.

it presents itself infrequently

Focuses on the rarity of the event's occurrence.

it transpires on occasion

Replaces "happens" with "transpires", adding a slightly more formal tone.

it is not unheard of

Expresses that while not common, the event is known to occur.

it is a rare occurrence

Directly states that the event is uncommon.

FAQs

What does "it occasionally happens" mean?

The phrase "it occasionally happens" means that something occurs from time to time, but not very often. It indicates an event that is not a regular or frequent occurrence.

What can I say instead of "it occasionally happens"?

You can use alternatives like "it sometimes occurs", "it happens from time to time", or "it rarely occurs" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it occasionally happens" formal or informal?

"It occasionally happens" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer a more sophisticated alternative such as "it transpires on occasion".

How can I use "it occasionally happens" in a sentence?

You can use "it occasionally happens" to introduce an event that is not common but does occur. For example, "While the system is usually reliable, it occasionally happens that errors occur."