occasional fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasional fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fact that is not frequent or regular, but occurs from time to time. Example: "While most of the data supports the theory, there are occasional facts that suggest otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Barbara Kingsolver pulled it off in her Poisonwood Bible, even if she did wobble on the occasional fact.

The Guardian - Books

And in any case, while pre-emption has been an occasional fact of life, no president has so explicitly elevated the practice to a doctrine.

The New York Times - Magazine

But if accessing mobile e-mail and the occasional fact are enough, the main reason to delay may be financial.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Called "Suite 2806," the play is a sly wink at reality with occasional facts changed.

The New York Times

(In mischievous fashion, Harris drops occasional "facts" about Britain into the narrative: an assured young SS officer has all the "English coolness" learned at the SS Academy in Oxford; the country is nominally ruled by King Edward VIII and Queen Wallis).

The Guardian - Books

Would she really be as shocked as she is here that he's bending the occasional biographical fact?

The New York Times

Mr. Frey is back, with "Bright Shiny Morning," a book that is openly fictitious this time, and full of run-on sentences, unconventional punctuation and an occasional urban fact thrown in for good measure.

The New York Times

The title, of course, suggests the general aim: to tell us about Shakespeare in his own times, and the book - never less than elegant, judicious and wise - takes us on a pleasantly discursive journey through the plays in chronological sequence, noting aspects of political life, giving a sense of performing practices of the time, adducing the occasional biographical fact.

The Guardian - Books

Indeed, the traditional business warning, caveat emptor, seems to apply, with nothing but occasional media fact checking to protect the unschooled consumer-voter.

Huffington Post

In addition to occasional Fun Facts vetted by Miss Teen Dream's sponsor, The Corporation, there are scripts for commercial breaks that interrupt the novel's action, as if "Beauty Queens" was a TV show.

Los Angeles Times

There is no glamour here, no contemporary angst or frivolity; apart from the occasional cellphone, in fact, little of the modern world is apparent.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occasional fact", ensure the context clearly indicates that the information is not a regular or consistent occurrence. This helps avoid misleading the reader.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "occasional fact" as a primary or central argument. Doing so can weaken your overall claim if the evidence is not substantial or representative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasional fact" functions as a noun phrase, where "occasional" modifies the noun "fact". It describes a piece of information that is true but not frequently encountered or relevant. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occasional fact" is a grammatically sound way to describe a piece of information that is true but not frequently encountered. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Though infrequent, its use serves to qualify statements, indicating that the fact is exceptional. While appropriate in various contexts, including news and scientific writing, it is crucial to avoid overstating its significance. Alternatives like "sporadic fact" or "rare instance" can provide similar nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sporadic fact

Replaces "occasional" with "sporadic", emphasizing irregularity.

Infrequent occurrence

Shifts from a statement of fact to the event of something happening rarely.

Rare instance

Focuses on the exceptional nature of the fact.

Isolated case

Highlights the fact's uniqueness and lack of connection to other facts.

Exceptional circumstance

Focuses on the conditions surrounding the fact rather than the fact itself.

Uncommon event

Replaces "fact" with "event", broadening the scope to include occurrences.

Seldom seen

Emphasizes the rarity of observing or encountering the fact.

Isolated detail

Highlights the separation and lack of integration of the fact with other information.

Accidental detail

Emphasizes the random or unplanned nature of the fact.

Circumstantial fact

Indicates that the fact is dependent on specific circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "occasional fact" in a sentence?

You can use "occasional fact" to refer to something that is true but doesn't happen often. For example: "While the report is mostly accurate, there's an "infrequent detail" that is incorrect."

What's a good alternative to "occasional fact"?

Alternatives include "sporadic fact", "rare instance", or "isolated case", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "occasional facts" or "occasional fact"?

The choice depends on whether you're referring to a single instance or multiple instances. "Occasional fact" refers to one instance, while "occasional facts" refers to several.

What's the difference between "occasional fact" and "certain fact"?

"Occasional fact" emphasizes the infrequency of a fact's occurrence or relevance, while "certain fact" emphasizes its truth or reliability, regardless of how often it's relevant.