occasionally asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasionally asking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a behavior or action that happens from time to time, particularly in the context of inquiries or requests. Example: "She is occasionally asking for feedback on her work to improve her skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Obama mostly listened, Van Roekel said, occasionally asking questions.

The Washington Post

Cognitive-behavioural therapist Polly Haselton sits behind a curved computer screen watching Chann, occasionally asking questions.

The Guardian - Tech

Her students listen, occasionally asking the meaning of a difficult term.

The Guardian

Mr Houellebecq himself adds to the mystery, only occasionally asking about his circumstances, and then never too vocally.

The Economist

The students diagrammed the life cycles of the three types of stars, consulting with one another and occasionally asking me questions as I circled the room.

University of California, Berkeley

They should be patient and friendly, occasionally asking open-ended questions and speaking only enough to prompt the interviewee or steer the discussion toward an important topic.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Their attorneys occasionally ask questions in Spanglish.

The Guardian

Even Democrats occasionally ask: Must he be so negative?

The New York Times

People occasionally ask why I'm not writing angry books.

The Guardian

The panel occasionally asks witnesses to remain in the event of follow-up questions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Alumni occasionally ask me how Princeton's current undergraduates differ from preceding classes.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occasionally asking", ensure the context clearly indicates the infrequency. This helps avoid misinterpretations about the frequency of the inquiries.

Common error

Avoid using "occasionally asking" when the action actually occurs more frequently. Choose a word that accurately reflects how often the asking happens to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasionally asking" functions as a present participle phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing an action that is happening intermittently. Ludwig's examples show it is used to describe behaviors in various situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "occasionally asking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe intermittent inquiries. As Ludwig AI confirms, its communicative purpose is to describe recurring actions that aren't constant, fitting seamlessly into diverse contexts ranging from news to academic discourse. While alternatives like "sometimes questioning" and "periodically inquiring" offer similar meanings, the key is to ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the intended frequency. Remember to avoid overstating frequency and use best practices to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sometimes questioning

Replaces "occasionally" with "sometimes", indicating a similar but potentially less frequent action.

periodically inquiring

Substitutes "occasionally" with "periodically", suggesting a more regular, though not constant, pattern of asking.

infrequently questioning

Uses "infrequently" instead of "occasionally", emphasizing the rare nature of the questioning.

now and then asking

Replaces "occasionally" with the idiomatic "now and then", offering a more casual tone.

from time to time inquiring

Substitutes "occasionally" with "from time to time", indicating that the action happens at irregular intervals.

every so often questioning

Employs "every so often" in place of "occasionally", conveying a sense of sporadic questioning.

at times asking

Uses "at times" instead of "occasionally", suggesting the asking happens during certain moments or instances.

sporadically inquiring

Replaces "occasionally" with "sporadically", highlighting the irregular and inconsistent nature of the questioning.

intermittently questioning

Substitutes "occasionally" with "intermittently", emphasizing that the questioning stops and starts at intervals.

on occasion asking

Replaces "occasionally" with "on occasion", indicating that the asking happens during certain opportunities or instances.

FAQs

How can I use "occasionally asking" in a sentence?

You can use "occasionally asking" to describe someone who inquires or questions at irregular intervals. For example, "During the meeting, he was occasionally asking clarifying questions."

What are some alternatives to "occasionally asking"?

Some alternatives include "sometimes questioning", "periodically inquiring", or "infrequently questioning".

Is it better to use "occasionally asking" or "frequently asking"?

The choice depends on the actual frequency of the action. Use "occasionally asking" when the questioning is infrequent, and "frequently asking" when it happens often. They are not interchangeable.

What does "occasionally asking" imply about the person doing the asking?

It suggests that the person is not constantly questioning, but does inquire or seek information at certain times. The person might be shy, or only asking when confused or to clarify certain points.