occasional update

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasional update" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to updates that are not frequent but happen from time to time. Example: "We will provide an occasional update on the project's progress to keep everyone informed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Depending on your age, your estate plan probably will not need more than the occasional update for major changes.

The New York Times

Banks ended his blog with a promise to "continue to post the occasional update for as long as I'm able".

The Guardian - Books

Please give us an occasional update on Steve Vaught, both where he is and what he weighs.

The New York Times

To keep the now-and-then narrative from becoming too predictable, Ritter tosses in an occasional update on the progress of the contraction-­hating Colonel and his sons.

The New York Times - Books

"It's just become so dangerous being here," said CNN's Matthew Chance, the cable channel's senior international correspondent, who was still able to broadcast an occasional update and provided regular commentary via Twitter.

The New York Times

And an occasional update would arrive in my e-mail in box, measuring progress more by the number of players diverted from what Fergerson called "a track to nowhere" than by the amount of wins and losses.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Throughout, we'll bring you occasional updates.

The New York Times

Steven Cotton will supply occasional updates from the game.

The New York Times

The government tightly controls information about his condition, releasing only occasional updates.

The New York Times

There will be occasional updates on this blog through the day/evening.

The Guardian - Sport

I'd get occasional updates, from friends and gossip columns, as the star, the studio, and the script erupted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occasional update" when you want to convey that information will be shared, but not on a regular or frequent basis. It sets an expectation of limited communication.

Common error

Avoid using "occasional update" if you plan to provide updates frequently, even if the schedule is irregular. Choose a phrase that reflects the actual frequency, such as "regular updates" or "frequent news" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasional update" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It refers to the act of providing information or news periodically, rather than frequently or consistently.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occasional update" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe infrequent or periodic releases of information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the actual frequency of updates aligns with the expectation of limited communication. Alternatives like "periodic notification" or "infrequent report" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

periodic notification

Emphasizes the scheduled nature of the update, even if infrequent. This phrase is less casual.

infrequent report

Highlights the rareness of the update, placing more stress on its sporadic nature.

sporadic bulletin

Suggests irregular timing and distribution of information.

irregular communication

Focuses on the lack of a set pattern in the updates. More broad than "occasional update".

intermittent notice

Highlights the on-again, off-again nature of updates, with periods of silence in between.

uncommon announcement

Stresses the rarity of the announcement or piece of news.

periodic briefing

Implies a more formal and structured update, though still infrequent.

as needed update

Indicates updates are provided only when a specific need or trigger arises.

every now and then news

Informal way of saying that news is delivered at irregular intervals. Is also more focused on the news than the "occasional update".

from time to time information

Similar to "every now and then", but slightly more formal. Focuses on providing general information, not exclusively updates.

FAQs

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

You can use "occasional update" to indicate that updates will be provided infrequently. For example, "We will send an "occasional update" on the project's progress".

What are some alternatives to "occasional update"?

Alternatives include "periodic notification", "infrequent report", or "sporadic bulletin", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "an occasional updates"?

No, the correct phrase is "an "occasional update"". "Update" should be singular when preceded by "an" because "occasional" modifies a single instance.

How formal is the phrase "occasional update"?

"Occasional update" is generally considered neutral and suitable for most contexts. More formal options include "periodic briefing", while informal options might be "news from time to time".