occasionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasionally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happens from time to time or not very often. Example: "I occasionally go for a run in the mornings when I have the time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Opinion

Tech

Arts

World

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When we are on the tube, occasionally I have to say to a member of the public that my son is autistic and that I'm sorry he is staring.

The Guardian - Opinion

If there is one thing that has occasionally held her back, it has been her movement, with her tall frame not always easy to manoeuvre quickly enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Occasionally one ripped past the outside edge to groans, oohs and aahs.

The Guardian - Sport

Occasionally, someone will stick their head around the huge wooden door of the church of St Peter and St Paul in Great Casterton and, on spotting the vicar, express surprise.

The Guardian

Occasionally they get more people to show up, but they've carried the weight for two years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once in, I sat on the grass, hoping, hoping, hoping to get a touch of the ball, as it sped over the so, so smooth field, my feet occasionally, rakishly, rebelliously, resting over the rope to show just how cool I was.

The Guardian - Sport

In an episode broadcast in Britain in 2012, Peppa Pig and family are introduced to Gabriella Goat, who shows Peppa around her village in Italy while occasionally bleating.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tate Modern became almost too popular for its own good, a heaving cultural souk – acutely in need of its planned extension – where art can occasionally be seen between massed heads and shoulders.

The Guardian - Arts

The story's a bit old – this week it celebrates its ninth anniversary, in fact – but you'll still find it mentioned occasionally in latterday attacks on the act.

The Guardian - Opinion

I had been prepared to hate it at times, even occasionally to regret coming, but I hadn't expected it to be a constant struggle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Occasionally referred to as being part of the "deep" web, the data accessed through Tor is unindexed by search engines, making it, in a sense, invisible.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occasionally" to add nuance to your writing when you want to indicate that something happens sometimes, but not on a regular basis. This can soften the impact of a statement, making it less absolute.

Common error

While "occasionally" is useful, avoid relying on it too much. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "sometimes" or "from time to time" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "occasionally" functions to modify verbs, indicating that an action occurs at infrequent intervals. It adds detail by specifying the frequency of an action. As Ludwig AI points out, the word "occasionally" is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Tech

8%

Arts

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "occasionally" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb to describe actions that happen from time to time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a versatile term suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, sports, and lifestyle writing. It is important to use "occasionally" judiciously and consider synonyms like "sometimes" or "from time to time" to avoid repetition. Be creative, and avoid platitudes. The authoritative sources and consistent usage underscore its reliability in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sometimes

Indicates a general infrequency, similar to "occasionally" but slightly more common.

from time to time

Emphasizes the intermittent nature of the action or event.

now and then

Suggests a less formal and more casual occurrence.

once in a while

Highlights the infrequency of the event, implying it is somewhat rare.

at times

Focuses on specific instances when something happens.

every so often

Implies a slightly more regular, though still infrequent, occurrence.

on occasion

More formal and emphasizes a specific instance or event.

periodically

Suggests occurrences at somewhat regular intervals, though not frequent.

infrequently

Direct synonym, emphasizing the rarity of the occurrence.

at infrequent intervals

Formal phrase stressing the spaced-out nature of the events.

FAQs

How can I use "occasionally" in a sentence?

"Occasionally" is used to indicate that something happens sometimes, but not regularly. For example: "I "occasionally" go for a walk in the park."

What are some alternatives to the word "occasionally"?

You can use alternatives like "sometimes", "from time to time", or "now and then" instead of "occasionally".

Is it correct to start a sentence with "occasionally"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "occasionally". For example: "Occasionally, I enjoy reading a good book."

What's the difference between "occasionally" and "frequently"?

"Occasionally" means something happens sometimes but not regularly, while "frequently" means something happens often. They are opposites in terms of frequency.