occasionally occurs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasionally occurs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or situations that happen from time to time, but not regularly. Example: "The phenomenon occasionally occurs during the winter months, leading to unexpected weather patterns."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Frost occasionally occurs on hilltops in winter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Death occasionally occurs, and secondary infections are common.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The disease occasionally occurs in patients who were heavily treated with radiation for previous cancers.

The New York Times - Health

While excess heat is more common in deep tunnels, it occasionally occurs in fairly shallow tunnels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As when suburbanites bicker over property lines, tension among families occasionally occurs when displays spill over to neighboring headstones.

The New York Times

Appendicitis occasionally occurs in elderly people, and instances where an abscess forms and bursts require urgent surgery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Death occasionally occurs on the diamond: at least five players have died during Senior Softball USA tournaments in the past 15 years.

The New York Times - Sports

Horse racing is a magnificent sport, but like any other sport, it has its low points and, sadly, a tragedy occasionally occurs.

The New York Times

While bone-density loss occasionally occurs in Truvada takers who are already infected with the virus, no significant bone issues have emerged in the PrEP studies.

The New Yorker

Stenosis (contracture) of the external opening (meatus) is the most common, but congenital stricture of the urethra occasionally occurs at other points.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The greatest fluctuations are in the north, where frost occasionally occurs in December at higher elevations; conversely, maritime influences moderate the climate in the south.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precise frequency is unknown or unimportant, "occasionally occurs" serves as an elegant way to indicate something happens sometimes but not often.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "occasionally occurs" in highly technical or scientific contexts where precise frequency data is available. Opt for more specific terms or quantitative descriptions when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasionally occurs" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something happens at irregular intervals, but not frequently. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status. Examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "occasionally occurs" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that serves to indicate infrequent or irregular events. Ludwig AI validates its usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While versatile, its formality should align with the writing's intended audience. The phrase functions to qualify statements by introducing a sense of chance or infrequency. Alternatives like "happens sometimes" or "occurs from time to time" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happens sometimes

Replaces "occurs" with a more common synonym, reducing formality slightly.

occurs on occasion

Replaces "occasionally" with "on occasion", keeping a formal tone.

occurs from time to time

Adds a temporal element, emphasizing the intermittent nature of the event.

occurs sporadically

Replaces "occasionally" with "sporadically", suggesting a more irregular pattern.

infrequently happens

Inverts the phrase structure while maintaining a similar meaning.

sometimes arises

Replaces both words with near synonyms that maintains similar meaning.

occurs at intervals

Highlights the presence of gaps between occurrences.

occurs now and then

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey infrequent occurrence.

crops up sometimes

Uses a more informal phrasal verb, suggesting unexpected appearances.

takes place infrequently

Replaces "occurs" with "takes place", slightly altering the tone.

FAQs

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

Use "occasionally occurs" to describe something that happens at irregular intervals. For instance: "Frost "occasionally occurs" on hilltops in winter".

What are some alternatives to "occasionally occurs"?

You can use alternatives like "happens sometimes", "occurs from time to time", or "sometimes arises" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "occasionally occurs" or "happens sometimes"?

"Occasionally occurs" is generally more formal than "happens sometimes". The choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What's the difference between "rarely occurs" and "occasionally occurs"?

"Rarely occurs" indicates something happens very infrequently, while ""occasionally occurs"" suggests a slightly higher frequency, though still not common. The distinction is one of degree.