just occasionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just occasionally" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express something that happens only once in a while or occasionally. Example: "I love to bake, but just occasionally I indulge in a store-bought treat." In this sentence, "just occasionally" is used to convey that the speaker does not frequently buy store-bought treats, but does indulge in them once in a while.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just occasionally.

The New York Times

At first, just occasionally.

The New York Times

He just occasionally pities pitchers".

The New Yorker

Not just occasionally.

The New Yorker

But just occasionally it does.

The New York Times - Arts

Except just occasionally: like now.

The Guardian

Here, only the Andante meandered, just occasionally.

The New York Times - Arts

And just occasionally, it's for its shamelessness.

The Guardian - Film

Just occasionally, however, it proves worth it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just occasionally in politics the stars align.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just occasionally things became more random.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just occasionally" to soften a statement, implying that something is not a regular occurrence but does happen sometimes. For example, "I eat fast food, but "just occasionally".

Common error

In formal or academic writing, overuse of "just occasionally" can make your writing sound less authoritative. Consider using more precise terms like "infrequently" or "rarely" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just occasionally" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate frequency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys that something happens at irregular intervals or not very often. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying actions and states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just occasionally" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's employed to indicate that something happens infrequently or sporadically, often softening the impact of a statement. While it is most common in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various situations, though perhaps less so in formal or scientific writing. The phrase is well-supported by examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, demonstrating its widespread acceptance and applicability. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "on occasion" or "infrequently".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once in a while

Replaces "just" with "once", focusing on the sporadic nature of the event.

every now and then

Emphasizes the intermittent pattern of the occurrence.

from time to time

Highlights the temporal separation between occurrences.

on occasion

A more formal substitute, indicating a less frequent occurrence.

at times

A simpler alternative, suggesting that the event happens sometimes.

sometimes

A common synonym emphasizing that an event happens but not often.

infrequently

Directly indicates the low frequency of the event.

rarely

Highlights the uncommon nature of the event.

seldom

A more formal synonym for rarely.

sporadically

Emphasizes the lack of a regular pattern in the occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "just occasionally" to indicate that something happens sometimes, but not frequently. For instance, "We visit that restaurant "just occasionally" because it's quite expensive."

What's a simpler way to say "just occasionally"?

Alternatives include "sometimes", "rarely", or "infrequently". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "just occasionally" or "on occasion"?

"On occasion" is generally considered more formal than "just occasionally". "Just occasionally" is suitable for informal and neutral contexts, while "on occasion" is better for formal writing.

What is the difference between "just occasionally" and "frequently"?

"Just occasionally" implies something happens rarely, while "frequently" means something happens often. They are antonyms and used to describe opposite ends of a frequency spectrum.