occasionally they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasionally they" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens from time to time involving a group of people or things. Example: "Occasionally they go out for dinner together to celebrate their achievements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Occasionally, they overdo it.

The New York Times

Occasionally, they nail it.

Independent

Occasionally, they became lovers.

The New York Times

Occasionally they work.

Cornell University

Occasionally they avalanche.

The Guardian - Books

Occasionally, they need a nudge.

The New York Times - Sports

Occasionally, they can be fatal.

The New York Times

Occasionally, they can be nightmares.

The New York Times

Occasionally, they offend Danish sensibilities.

The New York Times

Occasionally, they change lives.

The Guardian - Sport

Occasionally they might not.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occasionally they", ensure the context clarifies who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example: "Scientists conduct experiments regularly; occasionally they discover unexpected results."

Common error

Avoid using "occasionally they" when the action is more frequent than 'occasional' suggests. Overusing it can weaken the impact of the statement. Use alternatives such as "frequently" or "often" if the action is more regular.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasionally they" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the frequency with which an action is performed by a group, suggesting that it happens sometimes, but not regularly. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "occasionally they" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates something happens from time to time. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. As shown by examples in Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in academic and scientific contexts. It is essential to ensure the pronoun "they" is clearly defined in the sentence. For more precise language, alternatives such as "sometimes they" or "from time to time they" can be considered to better reflect the intended frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sometimes they

Indicates a less specific frequency compared to "occasionally".

at times they

Highlights specific instances when something occurs.

from time to time they

Emphasizes the irregular nature of the occurrences.

every now and then they

Suggests a more random and infrequent occurrence.

on occasion they

Formal alternative indicating a somewhat rare event.

now and again they

Indicates a periodic, but not consistent, occurrence.

periodically they

Focuses on the cyclical nature of the occasional events.

intermittently they

Implies that the actions stop and start at irregular intervals.

sporadically they

Highlights the isolated and scattered nature of the occurrences.

infrequently they

Directly states that the events do not happen often.

FAQs

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

"Occasionally they" is used to describe something that happens from time to time. For example: "The team usually meets weekly; occasionally they skip a meeting due to other commitments."

What are some alternatives to "occasionally they"?

You can use alternatives such as "sometimes they", "at times they", or "from time to time they" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "occasional they" instead of "occasionally they"?

No, "occasional they" is not grammatically correct. The adverb "occasionally" is needed to modify the verb. "Occasional" is an adjective and doesn't function correctly in this phrase.

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

"Occasionally they" indicates something happens sometimes, while "rarely they" suggests it almost never happens. The choice depends on the frequency you want to convey.