occasionally not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasionally not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens from time to time but not consistently or always. Example: "I occasionally not attend the meetings when I have other commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's charming, but occasionally not charming".

The New York Times

"Occasionally — not in that old addictive way".

The New York Times

But my mistake is occasionally not knowing who somebody is.

Independent

It is a second-class vegetable, one that, generally speaking, is best enjoyed occasionally, not daily.

The New York Times

The truth is, I'm not even sure what she's apologising for, except that I'm occasionally not that chatty.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It consists of poetic vignettes, occasionally not more than a paragraph long, written from various points of view.

The New York Times - Books

Veterans are having to get used to occasionally not starting or playing and still maintaining their confidence, knowing that often it is not a reflection on their performance.

The New York Times

Durand was mugging for his video camera, describing his excitement and, occasionally, not forgetting how he financed his lifestyle, giving shout-outs to his sponsors.

The New York Times - Sports

It was here that Diego Rivera sought inspiration for his monumental murals and Andy Warhol borrowed advertising images, occasionally not returning them, for his art.

The New York Times

Taylor has looked the part occasionally (not least at short leg) and deserves a run, but he will understand the value of a hundred this summer.

Independent

The actor's natural tendency is to hit for the fences and crank up the volume, often magnificently (Dog Day Afternoon), occasionally not (The Scent of a Woman).

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occasionally not", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not happening. This prevents ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

While "occasionally not" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using alternatives like "rarely" or "infrequently" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasionally not" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency with which an action or state does not occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. This phrase modifies verbs or entire clauses to express intermittent negation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "occasionally not" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial modifier to indicate that something happens, but not consistently. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and versatility. It is found frequently in both news and media, as well as scientific writing. When writing, ensure context is clear, and consider alternative phrasing like "sometimes not" or "rarely" in formal writing to enhance sophistication. Avoid overuse and ensure clarity in conveying the intended meaning of intermittent absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sometimes not

Replaces "occasionally" with "sometimes", indicating a less specific frequency.

on occasion not

Similar to "occasionally" but slightly more formal.

not always

Emphasizes the lack of consistency, using a more direct negation.

not often

A simpler way to express low frequency.

rarely

Indicates a low frequency of occurrence.

infrequently

A more formal synonym for "rarely".

sporadically

Suggests irregular or intermittent occurrences.

at times not

Inverts the structure while maintaining the meaning.

every so often not

Implies something happens irregularly.

from time to time not

Highlights the intermittent nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "occasionally not" in a sentence?

You can use "occasionally not" to express that something happens sometimes, but not consistently. For example, "I occasionally not attend the meetings when I have other commitments".

What are some alternatives to "occasionally not"?

Alternatives to "occasionally not" include "sometimes not", "not always", or "rarely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "occasionally not"?

Yes, "occasionally not" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate something happens from time to time but not consistently or always. It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb.

What's the difference between "occasionally not" and "not occasionally"?

"Occasionally not" means something happens sometimes but is often absent, while "not occasionally" implies something happens fairly regularly. The placement of "not" changes the meaning significantly.