occasions instead of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasions instead of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is done on certain occasions rather than on others. Example: "I prefer to celebrate my birthday with a small gathering on special occasions instead of large parties every year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Balotelli brought a good save from Eldin Jakupovic after 12 minutes, sent Alberto Moreno galloping down the left wing with an elegant backheel a little later, and even passed to colleagues on occasions instead of shooting every time he received the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Moreover, the use of ART in addition to, and in some occasions instead of, antimicrobials has altered both the drugs used and their treatment duration.

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

Therefore, in Experiment 3A we presented information in a frequency format (e.g., we told participants that when cause A was present the effect occurred in 80 out of 200 occasions, instead of telling them that produced the effect 40% of the time).

Experimental Psychology

Save thongs and and lingerie for special occasions, instead of wearing them every day.

WikiHow

Buy clothes that can be used for several different occasions instead of only one-time events.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

On occasion, instead of us going to his world, he came to ours.

The New York Times - Magazine

Can he relish the occasion instead of being weighed down by it?

The New York Times - Sports

The big breakthrough came two weeks ago, when I was reflecting on how one night, while I was sound asleep, a youthful gang of bikers roared maddeningly by my window for the umpteenth time, but on this occasion, instead of envisioning a strand of piano wire strung at neck height, I invited the bikers into my dreams, ushering them in as neglected and needy youngsters.

The New York Times

It's the final day of Guardian Cardiff today, and to mark the occasion instead of our normal morning links post – usually the most popular post of the day – we've decided to provide a list of the main websites, blogs and feeds we used to populate these posts.

The Guardian

I'm told that the last time we received such a high level of correspondence was after the broadcast of Grave Digging Live: In Search of Diana – but on this occasion, instead of insightful documentary-making ruffling the feathers of the botched and the bungled, it was a harmless piece of writing in Auto Trader's not-for-profit sister title, the Guardian, that set the cat amongst the pigeons.

The Guardian

For the second experiment, which was performed on a single occasion instead of separate runs, a full factorial model was employed, including bacterial strain, worm strain (alternatively, microsatellite genotype), and the interaction between the two as factors.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occasions instead of", ensure that the contrast between the occasions and the alternative is clear to avoid ambiguity. State both the preferred instances and what is being avoided or replaced.

Common error

Avoid using "occasions instead of" excessively in highly formal writing. While grammatically correct, more sophisticated alternatives might be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasions instead of" functions as a prepositional phrase, setting a condition or preference. It serves to specify that an action or event is limited to certain instances, excluding others. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically sound and conveys a selective condition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occasions instead of" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to express a preference for something to occur only during specific events or times. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, it is versatile enough to appear in various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific articles. It's crucial to clearly define the contrast between these specific occasions and the alternatives to avoid ambiguity. When writing, consider whether a more formal expression might be more suitable, particularly in professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

times rather than

Focuses on specific instances, emphasizing frequency.

instances instead of

Highlights the act of replacing something in particular situations.

instances in place of

Highlights the act of replacing something in particular situations.

situations instead of

Emphasizes the context or circumstances where a choice is made.

times in lieu of

Offers a more formal way to indicate substitution on specific occasions.

moments as opposed to

Draws a contrast between distinct points in time.

events rather than

Refers to specific happenings or occurrences instead of something else.

situations as opposed to

Draws a contrast between distinct circumstances.

instances where we prefer

Emphasizes the preference for specific instances.

times where we favor

Highlights the preference for specific times.

FAQs

How can I use "occasions instead of" in a sentence?

You can use "occasions instead of" to express a preference for something happening only during certain events or times, as opposed to others. For example: "I wear this dress on special "occasions instead of" every day".

What are some alternatives to "occasions instead of"?

Alternatives include "times rather than", "instances in place of", or "situations as opposed to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example: "I prefer small gatherings at certain "times rather than" large parties".

Is it better to say "occasions instead of" or "instead of occasions"?

The phrase "occasions instead of" is generally used to emphasize that something happens specifically on certain occasions, contrasting it with other times. The phrase "instead of occasions" is grammatically correct but less common and changes the emphasis. For example: "I value quality time "instead of" gifts for special occasions".

What is the difference between "occasions instead of" and "rather than occasions"?

"Occasions instead of" highlights the specific events when something occurs, while "rather than occasions" suggests avoiding those events altogether. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing selective occurrence or avoidance. For example: "I like to stay home "rather than occasions"".