occasional work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasional work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe work that is not regular or consistent, but happens from time to time. Example: "I take on occasional work to supplement my income during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He took occasional work as a farmhand.

The New York Times

Television executives give them some occasional work — that's all.

The New Yorker

He lived, sometimes with friends, in Lexington, Kentucky, where he had occasional work, and in New York City, where he also had friends and occasional work.

The New Yorker

He also does occasional work assisting prisoners with their legal cases.

The New Yorker

Traffic inside the development is mostly limited to the occasional work van or grocery drop-off.

The New York Times

During my time as an actress I still made occasional work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I do like to find the occasional work that hasn't been done.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

If occasional work-related thoughts come into your mind just accept them.

The Guardian - Money

Our current range of communication is practically infinite thanks to the internet and mobile devices, and with cloud storage and increasingly digital roles in the mix, it's possible for almost anyone to have occasional work-from-home days.

Forbes

When I do need to get dressed up for the occasional work-related event, the whole family views it as a big deal.

Huffington Post

At MSG, he recalled, he was mostly in the studio and did some occasional work in the booth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing income sources, use "occasional work" to accurately convey that the income is not consistent or guaranteed. This is more precise than simply saying "work".

Common error

While acceptable, in very formal writing, consider stronger alternatives like "intermittent employment" or "sporadic assignments" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasional work" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes employment or tasks that are not regular or permanent. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occasional work" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe infrequent or irregular employment. As Ludwig confirms, it's widely accepted and understood. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in formal business and academic contexts. While "occasional work" effectively conveys the sporadic nature of employment, alternatives like "sporadic employment" or "freelance gigs" may offer nuanced meanings depending on the specific context. When writing, ensure that the use of "occasional work" accurately reflects the irregularity of the employment being described to avoid any misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sporadic employment

Emphasizes the irregular and unpredictable nature of the work.

intermittent labor

Highlights the pauses and gaps between periods of work.

irregular assignments

Focuses on the non-standard and ad-hoc nature of the tasks.

odd jobs

Suggests a variety of small, often unskilled tasks.

freelance gigs

Implies short-term, project-based work typically found in creative fields.

temporary positions

Highlights the limited duration of the employment.

part-time engagements

Focuses on the reduced hours compared to full-time work.

seasonal work

Refers to work that is only available during specific times of the year.

side hustles

Suggests supplementary work done in addition to a primary job.

project-based tasks

Emphasizes that work is organized around specific projects rather than ongoing employment.

FAQs

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

You can use "occasional work" to describe tasks or jobs that are not performed regularly. For example: "He supplements his income with "occasional work" as a consultant."

What's the difference between "occasional work" and "part-time work"?

"Occasional work" implies the work is not regular and happens sporadically, whereas "part-time work" suggests a consistent schedule but with fewer hours than full-time employment.

Which is correct, "occasional work" or "occasionally working"?

"Occasional work" is a noun phrase referring to the work itself, while "occasionally working" is a verb phrase describing the act of working from time to time. The correct choice depends on the sentence structure.

What are some alternatives to "occasional work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sporadic employment", "freelance gigs", or "odd jobs".