only occasionally

USAGE SUMMARY

'only occasionally' is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something does not usually happen, but happens once in a while. For example: "I only occasionally visit the park on the weekends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He gasped only occasionally.

The New Yorker

Most attended mosque only occasionally.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Only occasionally," his son said.

The New York Times - Books

Their conclusion was: only occasionally.

The New York Times - Health

He preached only occasionally thereafter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They visit only occasionally.

The Washington Post

Water it only occasionally.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is only occasionally.

The Guardian - Books

Flexitarian: Only occasionally eats meat.

The Washington Post

He only occasionally gave floor speeches.

The New York Times

He drank only occasionally and exercised regularly.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only occasionally" to indicate that an event or action happens sometimes, but not regularly or frequently. This can add nuance to your writing, signaling that something is an exception rather than the norm.

Common error

Avoid using "only occasionally" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your text sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "rarely", "seldom", or "infrequently" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only occasionally" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency of an action or event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it qualifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, specifying that something happens infrequently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only occasionally" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express that something happens infrequently. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Alternatives include "rarely" and "infrequently", each offering slightly different nuances. When writing, be mindful of overuse and consider varying your language for better engagement. The provided examples from Ludwig illustrate its function and purpose, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only rarely

Emphasizes the infrequency even more strongly than "only occasionally".

only infrequently

A more formal synonym emphasizing rarity.

only periodically

Suggests recurrence at irregular intervals, whereas "only occasionally" may not imply any pattern.

only sometimes

A simpler and more general alternative, lacking the nuance of "only occasionally".

only intermittently

Suggests that something stops and starts with irregular breaks.

only irregularly

Highlights the lack of a fixed pattern or schedule.

only sporadically

Implies that occurrences are scattered and unpredictable.

just occasionally

Adds a slight emphasis on the 'just' for a less formal tone.

only casually

Highlights the lack of seriousness or intent behind the action.

only at times

Focuses on specific instances when something happens, rather than a general frequency.

FAQs

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

"Only occasionally" is used to express that something happens sometimes but not often. For example: "I "only occasionally" eat fast food."

What are some alternatives to "only occasionally"?

You can use phrases like "rarely", "seldom", or "infrequently" as alternatives to "only occasionally", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "occasionally only" instead of "only occasionally"?

While "occasionally only" might be understood, ""only occasionally"" is the more standard and grammatically preferred order in English.

What is the difference between "only occasionally" and "only sometimes"?

Both ""only occasionally"" and "only sometimes" indicate that something doesn't happen very often, but "only occasionally" suggests a slightly lower frequency or a more irregular occurrence than "only sometimes".