provide occasion

USAGE SUMMARY

"provide occasion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something that creates or presents an opportunity for something else to take place. For example, "The recognition ceremony will provide occasion for us to celebrate the accomplishments of our colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Residents like having the Iraqis as neighbors, because, they say, the Iraqis keep to themselves, provide occasion for gossip and, with a 24-hour police detail stationed outside, bring added security to the block.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But often, movie gamblers provide occasions for expansive, often portentous, disquisitions on character, chance, luck, fate and life itself.

The Guardian

Sadly, the text they are annotating is a dull Conrad pastiche, designed to provide occasions for commentary.

The New Yorker

This multicolored abundance of music can provide occasions for a whole class of students to show themselves in precise and varied lights, as the Manhattan School of Music showed last Wednesday night in Hubbard Hall.

The New York Times - Arts

Fire extinguishers, bags of human blood and a sprinkler system provide occasions for some show-offy effects as Mr. Bacon's unclothed frame is outlined by computer-enhanced mist and moisture.

The New York Times

Other tribal celebrations that provide occasions for music and dancing include the festival of flowers known as Sarhul (or Baha), a cattle festival called Sohrai, and a postharvest festival called Mage Parab.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Malebranche held that the only true cause is God and that apparent finite causes are only "occasional causes," which is to say that they provide occasions for God to act on his general volitional policies.

SEP

-- presidential debates now provide occasions for trading insults, provoking gaffes, engaging in verbal food fights, and marketing magical solutions to problems ranging from war to border security that are immune to magic.

Huffington Post

World Food Day and special events, including those under the TeleFood campaign, will continue to provide occasions for the dissemination of information materials about FAO, its work and priorities.

FAO

Expositions have provided occasion for ambitious fountain displays.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Children lost at birth are miraculously restored, years later, to their parents, thereby providing occasion for a recognition scene that functions as the denouement of the plot.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provide occasion" when you want to emphasize the role of something in creating a setting or circumstance for a particular event or action to occur. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "provide occasion" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "create an opportunity" or "give a chance" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide occasion" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate the act of creating a situation or circumstance that allows something else to happen. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provide occasion" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the creation of a setting or opportunity for something else to happen. As Ludwig confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English, though relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider whether simpler alternatives like "create opportunity" or "offer opportunity" might be more appropriate for informal settings. While grammatically sound and semantically valid, the infrequent usage suggests the need for judicious application to suit the specific context and intended formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer opportunity

Focuses on the act of offering an opportunity, slightly more direct than providing an occasion.

create opportunity

Emphasizes the creation of the opportunity itself.

give rise to

Highlights the consequence or result of something leading to another.

present opportunity

Similar to "offer opportunity" but can suggest a more formal presentation.

afford possibility

Indicates that something makes a possibility available.

open the door for

A more idiomatic expression suggesting the beginning of an opportunity.

pave the way for

Implies preparation or facilitation for something to occur.

set the stage for

Suggests creating the necessary conditions for a subsequent event.

furnish grounds for

Provides a justification or reason for something.

lay the foundation for

Implies building a base or reason for something to develop.

FAQs

How can I use "provide occasion" in a sentence?

You can use "provide occasion" to describe something that creates an opportunity or a reason for something else to happen. For instance, "The conference will "provide occasion" for networking and collaboration".

What can I say instead of "provide occasion"?

You can use alternatives like "offer opportunity", "create opportunity", or "give rise to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "provide occasion" or "create an opportunity"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "provide occasion" is more formal and emphasizes the setting or circumstance created. "Create an opportunity" is more direct and versatile.

What's the difference between "provide occasion" and "afford possibility"?

"Provide occasion" highlights the circumstances or reason, while "afford possibility" emphasizes the enablement of a specific possibility. The former sets the stage, while the latter opens a door.