sole occasion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole occasion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the only instance or event in which something occurs. Example: "This was the sole occasion when I had the chance to meet my favorite author in person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The knighthood was announced in the queen's New Year's Honors list, and yesterday's ceremony is the sole occasion in the year when the queen awards honors in Scotland.

The New York Times - Arts

This might have been the sole occasion when you could find the president of HSN seated in the same row as the president of Liberia, and the speeches could veer from inspiring tear-jerkers to flat-out comedy routines.

The New York Times

But Mr. Garcia quickly noted that on the sole occasion when Mr. Obama visited Corpus Christi, on Feb. 22, organizers had to scramble to find a large enough site.

The New York Times

In fact, on the sole occasion where Updike does display a hint of fang, it is in his treatment of Michel Houellebecq, whose novel "The Possibility of an Island" he is determined not to allow to shock him.

The New York Times - Books

We see him as a child, played by Darcy Bryce, scrapping with his brother and clouting him with a brick — the sole occasion, in "Hacksaw Ridge," on which the hero harms another person.

The New Yorker

Fair enough, but the critics note than none of these posts came through a direct election open to all voters, and on the sole occasion when he did face such an election, in the parliamentary contest of 1978, he lost.But surely a second glance is called for.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

They are only occasions for God, the sole source of necessary connection, to act in the world.

SEP

Lobster ragout also comes in a heady shellfish and tomato broth, although the lobster meat is a bit overcooked; the same flaw marred grilled Dover sole on two occasions.

The New York Times - Arts

They even claim that I intentionally caused the NATO aggression and war in Yugoslavia and the sufferings of millions of its citizens for the sole purpose of using this occasion to kill the Albanians.

The New York Times

To date neither the International Headache Society nor the International League against Epilepsy mention that headache/migraine may, on occasion, be the sole ictal epileptic manifestation.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Indeed, to date neither the International Headache Society nor the International League against Epilepsy mention that headache/migraine may, on occasion, be the sole ictal epileptic manifestation.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sole occasion" to emphasize the singularity and uniqueness of an event, especially when contrasting it with more common occurrences. This adds a sense of importance or exceptionality to the situation.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "sole", meaning 'only', with "soul", which refers to the spiritual or emotional part of a person. Using "soul occasion" instead of "sole occasion" completely alters the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole occasion" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun or verb, indicating the uniqueness or singularity of an event. It highlights that something happened only once. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole occasion" is used to emphasize that an event happened only once, distinguishing it from regular or frequent occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. Its register is typically neutral to formal, making it suitable for news, academic, and professional contexts. When using "sole occasion", it's important to ensure that the context genuinely reflects a singular event. Alternatives like "only instance" or "unique event" can be considered for variety or emphasis. Remember to avoid confusing "sole" with the homophone "soul". Although it's not a very frequent expression, when you need to underscore that something happened only one single time then “sole occasion” can be an ideal choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only instance

Focuses on the uniqueness of the event as being the only one.

single instance

Emphasizes the event as being just one occurrence.

unique event

Highlights the distinctiveness of the occasion.

one-time event

Highlights that the event only happened once.

rare occurrence

Implies that the event is not common and happens infrequently.

exceptional case

Suggests that the situation is an exception to the norm.

isolated incident

Stresses that the event is detached and not part of a pattern.

unprecedented event

Suggests that nothing similar has happened before.

singular moment

Highlights the importance of the occasion as a moment.

once-in-a-lifetime experience

Emphasizes the rarity and special nature of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "sole occasion" to indicate the only instance something happened. For example: "This was the "sole occasion" I ever saw him smile."

What can I say instead of "sole occasion"?

Alternatives include "only instance", "single instance", or "unique event", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "sole occasion" or "only time"?

"Sole occasion" generally carries a more formal tone than "only time". Use "sole occasion" in formal writing or speech where precision and emphasis are desired.

What's the difference between "sole occasion" and "rare occasion"?

"Sole occasion" means it happened exactly once, while "rare occasion" implies it happens infrequently, but possibly more than once. The key difference is the absolute singularity indicated by "sole".