limited occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

"limited occasions" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to events or situations that happen infrequently or rarely. For example, "I only attend the meetings on limited occasions." Alternative expressions include "rare occasions" and "few instances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Goldstein hopes to inspire future architects by opening the house to the public through the museum (on limited occasions only while he still lives there), and help foster a greater appreciation for contemporary architecture.

The Guardian - Arts

Only on very limited occasions can the FA act retrospectively.

Independent

Although the fallouts were observed only on limited occasions, the salt flakes are likely released for 2 weeks since the emission of the brownish plume was continuously observed from mid-May to early June.

Earth, Planets and Space

Outside these anticipated areas, there may also be other limited occasions where the BBC and the independent producer agree for the BBC to provide the BBC UK audience access to content on a similar on-going basis.

BBC

There are some limited occasions today where real-time data is used, for example in a case of a kidnapping, where it could be a matter of life and death whether an individual is discovered".

BBC

The examiner also said O'Reilly admitted to "going ballistic" "on limited occasions".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The development of bank money increased bankers' ability to extend credit by limiting occasions when their clients would feel the need to withdraw currency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Leveson says this defence should be limited to occasions where it is "necessary for publication" and that the likely invasion of privacy is outweighed by the public interest.

The Guardian

Patients were not reviewed weekly during induction chemotherapy and blood tests were limited to occasions when the patients were attending the hospital for radiotherapy planning appointments.

British Journal of Cancer

(It is sometimes necessary to reserve blocks of rooms where housing is limited). On occasion, special transportation from airports or stations is also necessary.

Harvard University

I find I have to limit the occasions I drink, because if you start drinking alcohol you start eating badly and the whole health thing crumbles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, this phrase is excellent for discussing data points that only appeared under specific, non-constant conditions

Common error

Writers sometimes use 'very few limited occasions'. Since both 'few' and 'limited' imply scarcity, using both can be seen as tautological. Stick to "limited occasions" or "very rare occasions" for better flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited occasions" acts as a noun phrase often functioning as an adverbial of frequency when preceded by a preposition. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to quantify the regularity of an action, typically emphasizing its scarcity or the constraints surrounding its occurrence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "limited occasions" is a robust and sophisticated tool for any writer's vocabulary. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted across prestigious publications and academic disciplines. It excels at describing events that are intentionally restricted or naturally infrequent without sounding overly dramatic. Whether you are writing a scientific report on "limited occasions" of data variance or a news article about a public figure appearing on "limited occasions", the phrase provides a clear sense of boundaries. Always remember to use the preposition 'on' to ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rare occasions

Suggests a lower frequency than limited, emphasizing that the event almost never happens

few instances

Shifts the focus from the timing (occasions) to specific examples (instances)

infrequent occurrences

A more formal and clinical way to describe things that do not happen often

limited times

Focuses more on the temporal aspect or a countdown of allowed repetitions

restricted circumstances

Emphasizes the constraints or rules that allow something to happen rather than just the frequency

isolated cases

Implies that the events are not only rare but also disconnected from one another

sporadic moments

Suggests that the events happen at irregular intervals without a predictable pattern

exceptional cases

Implies that the occasion is a deviation from the standard rule or norm

scant opportunities

Emphasizes the lack of availability or the narrow window for something to occur

seldom times

A slightly more old-fashioned or poetic variation of saying rarely

FAQs

Is it 'on limited occasions' or 'in limited occasions'?

The correct preposition is 'on'. You should say "on "limited occasions"" to describe when something happens. Using 'in' is generally considered non-standard in this context.

What is a more formal way to say "limited occasions"?

Depending on your context, you might use "infrequent occurrences" or "restricted circumstances" to sound more precise in professional or scientific documents.

Can I use "limited occasions" to describe a sale?

Yes, it is common in marketing to use phrases like "available on "limited occasions"" to create a sense of urgency and exclusivity for a product or service.

What is the difference between "limited occasions" and 'rare occasions'?

While both mean something doesn't happen often, "limited occasions" often implies a deliberate restriction (e.g., by a person or rule), whereas "rare occasions" usually describes a natural low frequency.