not occasionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not occasionally" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something does not happen often, or only rarely. For example, "He does not visit us occasionally, but rather once every few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

And sometimes not". Occasionally, "L'Histoire" pokes through the musical fabric and reveals itself unambiguously.

The New York Times - Arts

Swann but not forgotten The Light Roller is nothing if not occasionally almost right.

Independent

Those who govern need to tap into that know-how, not occasionally, but continuously.

The Guardian

Can we media bullies not occasionally allow them some time off?

The Guardian - Opinion

It found that 46percentt of those surveyed used their computers often to play games -- not occasionally.

The New York Times

That does not mean, however, that Berkshire does not occasionally tweak its equity holdings or other investments.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

This doesn't mean we don't occasionally get stuck for ideas.

The New Yorker

It's not as if I don't occasionally have pangs of nostalgia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which doesn't mean your eyes won't occasionally glaze over.

The New York Times - Arts

Which is not to say that she doesn't occasionally practice home taxidermy with pleasure.

The New York Times - Books

Which isn't to say the job doesn't occasionally terrify him.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not occasionally" to clearly express that something does not happen frequently or regularly. It adds emphasis compared to simply saying "rarely".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "not occasionally" can sound somewhat verbose in formal writing. Consider using more concise synonyms like "rarely" or "infrequently" to maintain a streamlined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not occasionally" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically an adverb of frequency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes how often an action occurs, indicating that it does not happen on occasion or with any regularity. The examples show it qualifying verbs across various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "not occasionally" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to emphasize that something does not happen frequently. According to Ludwig AI, its main function is to modify verbs, indicating a low frequency of occurrence. While acceptable in various contexts, it's advisable to consider more concise synonyms like "rarely" or "infrequently" in formal writing to maintain clarity and efficiency. The phrase is frequently used in news media and scientific publications, indicating its widespread understanding and applicability across different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely

Replaces the two-word phrase with a single adverb indicating infrequency.

infrequently

A more formal synonym emphasizing the lack of frequency.

seldom

A classic synonym for "not often".

hardly ever

An informal way to convey that something happens very infrequently.

almost never

Emphasizes the near absence of an occurrence.

not often

A more literal substitution, retaining a similar structure.

on rare occasions

Highlights the exceptional nature of the event.

from time to time

Indicates something happens only periodically or irregularly.

hardly at all

This phrase expresses a very low frequency or near absence of something.

once in a while

Suggests something happens sporadically, with significant intervals.

FAQs

How can I use "not occasionally" in a sentence?

You can use "not occasionally" to emphasize that something happens infrequently, such as "He does "not occasionally" visit, but regularly every week" or "They are "not occasionally" late, they are always punctual".

What is a more concise alternative to "not occasionally"?

Alternatives include "rarely", "infrequently", or "seldom". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "not occasionally" or "rarely" in formal writing?

While both are grammatically correct, "rarely" is generally preferred in formal writing due to its conciseness and directness. "Not occasionally" can sometimes sound more emphatic but may come across as verbose.

What's the difference between "not occasionally" and "sometimes"?

"Not occasionally" means that something happens infrequently, whereas "sometimes" suggests that it does happen, but without indicating a specific frequency. "Not occasionally" implies a lower frequency than "sometimes".