occasionally enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasionally enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens from time to time and is sufficient for a particular purpose or need. Example: "The weather is occasionally enough to allow for outdoor activities, but we should have a backup plan in case of rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His brother sent money only occasionally, enough to cover the cost of the cell and little else.

The New Yorker

Even in an era where partisanship is on the rise, demographic changes exert a gravitational pull on policy and politics and are occasionally enough to overcome political divisions.

The New York Times

But occasionally enough water molecules bounced off the bead at the same time, reflecting a more orderly arrangement of the molecules, to push the bead ahead, as if a barge suddenly jumped in front of the tugboat pulling it.

The New York Times - Science

A flash of a smile, a genial wave and just a glimpse of one of Britain's most famous athletes is occasionally enough.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The machines of academic art, often unbearable, are occasionally weird enough to be irresistible.

The New York Times - Arts

The French, notably, are massive subsidisers, and last year produced 200 films, which are occasionally good enough to export.

The Economist

The lack of public exposure can occasionally be enough to catapult to a world auction record an otherwise unsurprising painting.

The New York Times - Arts

Leaked drafts of chapters have occasionally surfaced — enough to alarm, among others, environmentalists, labor groups, and advocates for affordable medicine.

The New Yorker

He constantly examines the contours of his friendship with Larry Lime: painfully aware of its socially imposed strictures, inclined to speculate on the consequences of refusing to obey them and occasionally brave enough to risk those consequences.

The New York Times - Books

Having backpacked around Europe, taught English in Sichuan and traveled all over China — where I was occasionally lucky enough to be adopted as a mascot by a Chinese tour group — I identified with and thoroughly enjoyed your article.

The New Yorker

I grew up among blood relatives who, while not nearly as cold or as mean as Cornwell's adoptive family, were controlling, neglectful and occasionally abusive enough to cause me to feel quite out of place among my "own" people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occasionally enough", ensure the context clearly establishes the criterion for "enough". Be specific about what standard or requirement is being met.

Common error

Avoid using "occasionally enough" when the situation requires consistent or reliable sufficiency. This phrase suggests that the requirement is only met some of the time, which may be inappropriate in certain contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasionally enough" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with an adjectival phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency and degree to which something occurs or is sufficient. Ludwig examples show this phrase qualifying actions and conditions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occasionally enough" signifies something that occurs infrequently but is sufficient for a particular need or purpose. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable, although not overly common. Its neutral register allows for use in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. When using "occasionally enough", ensure clarity regarding the standard of "enough" and avoid using it in situations requiring consistent reliability. Alternatives such as "sometimes sufficient" or "sporadically adequate" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sometimes sufficient

Replaces "occasionally" with "sometimes" maintaining a similar frequency, and "enough" with "sufficient" which is a direct synonym.

sporadically adequate

Substitutes "occasionally" with "sporadically" for less frequency, and "enough" with "adequate" for similar sufficiency.

intermittently sufficient

Uses "intermittently" in place of "occasionally", and "sufficient" in place of "enough", offering a slightly more formal tone.

now and then adequate

Replaces "occasionally" with the idiomatic "now and then", retaining the sense of infrequent occurrence, and uses "adequate" instead of "enough".

from time to time sufficient

Employs "from time to time" as an alternative to "occasionally", suggesting periodic but not constant occurrence, and using "sufficient" for "enough".

at times adequate

Replaces "occasionally" with the shorter "at times" for a concise alternative, and uses "adequate" instead of "enough".

on occasion sufficient

Substitutes "occasionally" with "on occasion" for a slightly more formal tone, and uses "sufficient" instead of "enough".

every so often adequate

Uses the idiomatic expression "every so often" to replace "occasionally", conveying a sense of irregularity, and "adequate" instead of "enough".

once in a while sufficient

Replaces "occasionally" with "once in a while", another common idiomatic expression, and "sufficient" for "enough".

infrequently adequate

Substitutes "occasionally" with "infrequently" for a more direct synonym expressing rarity, and "adequate" for "enough".

FAQs

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

Use "occasionally enough" to describe something that happens from time to time and is sufficient for a particular purpose. For example, "The sun shines occasionally enough to charge the solar panels."

What does "occasionally enough" mean?

"Occasionally enough" means happening or appearing infrequently, but still meeting a certain requirement or need. It suggests something is not always present or available, but it suffices when it does occur.

What are some alternatives to "occasionally enough"?

You can use alternatives like "sometimes sufficient", "sporadically adequate", or "intermittently sufficient" depending on the context.

Is "occasionally enough" a formal or informal phrase?

"Occasionally enough" is generally considered a neutral phrase and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "intermittently sufficient" might be preferred in highly formal writing.