occasion arises

USAGE SUMMARY

'occasion arises' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that a certain situation or event occurs or presents itself at some point in time. For example: "I'll be sure to help out whenever the occasion arises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I still find myself using it when the occasion arises.

The New York Times

I can relax when the occasion arises, but generally I am happy when I've got something to do".

The Guardian - Sport

In these partnerships it is explicit that community youth workers do not spy on communities but respect client confidentiality and discharge their normal civic duty to report criminal activity to police if the occasion arises.

The Guardian - Opinion

It takes a truly humble and magnanimous man to say: "Well, I have to respect the decision of the committee and, if the occasion arises, I will now destroy all life on Earth".

The Guardian - Opinion

"He is short-tempered when the occasion arises but there is a part of him that has the patience of Job, and it manifests itself in the diligence with which he applies himself to the work - he has this incredible attention to detail".

The Guardian

A summer holiday is still a daydream at this point, but by working on the areas that I feel most self-conscious about I know that when the occasion arises, I'll be ready to hit the beach at the drop of a sombrero.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

RIDING -- You would do it again if the occasion arose?

The New York Times

"Old Brown asked if I'd be willing to cover their retreat if occasion arose.

The New Yorker

If ever the occasion arose, if there was an opportunity, they would kill again.

The New Yorker

The other occasion arose during last winter's Test series between India and Australia.

Independent

He would despatch me 'to get a couple of those lovely little scent bottles' whenever the occasion arose.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occasion arises" to describe a situation where a specific event or opportunity becomes available, often unexpectedly or as a consequence of other events. For example, "If the "occasion arises", be prepared to act quickly."

Common error

Avoid using "occasion arises" in passive constructions where the subject is unclear or the sentence becomes convoluted. Instead of saying, "It is hoped that the occasion arises", prefer "We hope the "occasion arises"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasion arises" primarily functions as a clause element within a sentence, often introduced by conjunctions like 'if', 'when', or 'should'. It sets a conditional circumstance for the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples where the phrase introduces a potential scenario.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "occasion arises" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that effectively expresses a conditional or potential scenario. Ludwig AI confirms that its typical usage is to introduce a circumstance upon which another action depends. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Scientific articles and Wiki articles, and maintains a neutral to formal register suitable for a wide range of communication needs. Keep in mind that the best alternatives depends on context, some great options are "opportunity presents itself" or "situation develops".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opportunity presents itself

Replaces "occasion" with "opportunity" and uses a more active verb, emphasizing the chance being available.

circumstances occur

Substitutes "occasion" with "circumstances", focusing on the factual conditions taking place.

situation develops

Replaces "occasion" with "situation", highlighting the evolution of a set of events.

time comes

Uses a more general term, "time", making it less specific than "occasion".

chance emerges

Emphasizes the element of chance or luck in the opportunity appearing.

need becomes apparent

Shifts focus to the necessity of something becoming clear.

instance happens

Uses "instance" to refer to a specific occurrence.

event materializes

Focuses on the event taking a concrete form.

the moment is right

Indicates that the timing is suitable for a particular action.

juncture arrives

Uses a more formal term, "juncture", to describe a critical point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "occasion arises" in a sentence?

You can use "occasion arises" to indicate that a particular circumstance or opportunity presents itself. For example, "I always carry a notebook in case the "occasion arises" where I need to jot down ideas."

What are some alternatives to "occasion arises"?

Some alternatives to "occasion arises" include "opportunity presents itself", "circumstances occur", or "situation develops" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "occasion arises" formal or informal?

"Occasion arises" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly casual, it's also not strictly reserved for academic or professional settings, and its usage can span across various types of communication.

What does it mean when the "occasion arises"?

When the "occasion arises", it means that a suitable or opportune moment occurs, allowing for a specific action or event to take place. It suggests a readiness to act when the circumstances are favorable.