on the odd occasion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'on the odd occasion' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe something that happens infrequently or rarely. For example: I go out for dinner on the odd occasion, but I prefer to stay home and cook.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

It would become a daily habit instead of the place you go to on the odd occasion when you actually want to buy music (something that is happening less and less these days with the proliferation of free music elsewhere).

TechCrunch

But nor do I like being treated like an idiot when I'm watching television (even if I have been known to be one, on the odd occasion).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I have only met him briefly on the odd occasion.

The Guardian - Sport

And on the odd occasion, a bus pick up for scorching hot or pouring rain days.

The Guardian - Opinion

(I must admit a similar thought has occurred to me on the odd occasion).

The Guardian

Jonathan and Daniel roam the street, wrestling, arguing and, on the odd occasion, conversing civilly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

On the odd occasions he does mention a bar or a club, I try to picture him there and fail.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"On the odd occasions when we holidayed somewhere that I could not credibly claim had no telephone, I would deliberately leave my private office with a plausibly inaccurate number on which to contact me".

The Guardian - Books

On the odd occasions we mention it, it's brutal and jars us out of the soft-focus nostalgia and affection we've settled into in our day-to-day exchanges.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Several years on, I can't say there has been much benefit from bringing work and personal spheres together on Facebook, perhaps bar the odd occasion when I've been able to message someone I didn't have a formal email address for.

The Guardian - Tech

I suspect it's bordering on sacrilege but there has been the odd occasion when I've crawled underneath the cromlech's large capstone when caught out in a shower.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the odd occasion", ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of overuse, as it can become repetitive.

Common error

Avoid using "on the odd occasion" when you mean something happens regularly, even if it's not very frequent. The phrase suggests a genuine rarity, not just something that's 'not that often'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the odd occasion" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the infrequency of an action or event. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something that happens rarely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the odd occasion" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote that something happens infrequently. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression. With 56 real-world examples showing its prevalence across news, media, and other domains, it's evident that this phrase is a reliable way to express rarity. When writing, remember to use it accurately, reflecting true infrequency, and consider alternatives like "occasionally" or "rarely" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on rare occasions

Focuses on the rareness of the specific event.

occasionally

Indicates something happens sometimes, but not regularly, and is the closest synonym.

infrequently

A straightforward and neutral way to express that something doesn't occur often.

from time to time

Suggests irregular intervals, without specifying how frequently.

every so often

Implies a slightly more random pattern of occurrence.

once in a blue moon

Emphasizes extreme rarity, implying something happens almost never.

rarely

Similar to "seldom" but perhaps slightly more common in everyday speech.

seldom

A more formal way to indicate something doesn't happen often.

hardly ever

Emphasizes the infrequency to near non-existence.

sparingly

Highlights using or doing something in small amounts or infrequently.

FAQs

How can I use "on the odd occasion" in a sentence?

You can use "on the odd occasion" to describe something that happens rarely or infrequently. For instance, "I visit my family "on the odd occasion", as they live far away".

What's a similar phrase to "on the odd occasion"?

Alternatives include "occasionally", "rarely", or "from time to time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "on the odd occasion" formal or informal?

"On the odd occasion" can be used in both formal and informal settings, but it leans slightly towards the neutral side. In more formal writing, consider alternatives like "infrequently".

What is the difference between "on the odd occasion" and "occasionally"?

"Occasionally" suggests something happens sometimes, while "on the odd occasion" emphasizes that it is even less frequent and more unexpected. "On the odd occasion" implies a greater degree of rarity than "occasionally".