upon occasion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon occasion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens occasionally or from time to time. Example: "Upon occasion, I like to take long walks in the park to clear my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Upon occasion he used cartoons to correct abuses.

The New Yorker

And, upon occasion, I will concede, I went too far.

The New York Times - Travel

She concludes with the slightly prim observation that "like most great artists, Brandt, upon occasion, needed an editor".

The New York Times - Arts

Upon occasion his relish for dramatic action led him beyond the limits of his proper role as the guarantor of public order.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A smaller work of great beauty and subtlety, entitled A Letter to a Friend, Upon occasion of the Death of his Intimate Friend, was published posthumously in 1690.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perhaps most memorably and effectively, throughout his novel Mr. Galgut frequently shifts back and forth from third person to first, and even upon occasion to second.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Both rely on the fact that the unquoted occurrence of φ is an occurrence of an interpreted sentence, which has a truth value, but also provides its truth conditions upon occasions of use.

SEP

During the greater portion of the night the whole company assembled upon the occasion chews betel, drinks cocoa-wine, and discusses upon all other subjects but marriage.

Cornell University

The People generally ill treated, and contrary to right, will be ready upon any occasion to ease themselves of a burden that sits heavy upon them.

University of Chicago

"Beloved mother!" she wrote, upon the occasion of Pamela's suicide.

The New York Times

An Exhibition upon the Occasion of the Inauguration of the Firestone Memorial Library.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon occasion" to add a touch of formality to your writing when you want to indicate something happens sometimes. This phrase can elevate your tone, making it suitable for formal contexts like academic papers or professional reports.

Common error

Avoid using "upon occasion" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "sometimes" or "occasionally" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon occasion" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate frequency. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies that something happens sometimes or intermittently. This contrasts with actions that are constant or habitual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon occasion" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase commonly used to express that something happens sometimes. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news, academic writing, and encyclopedias, it adds a touch of formality suitable for elevated styles. While alternatives like "occasionally" or "sometimes" exist, "upon occasion" provides a distinct flavor, as shown by the many examples found by Ludwig. When aiming for a more sophisticated tone, "upon occasion" serves as a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on occasion

Similar meaning. The preposition differs.

occasionally

Single word alternative. Emphasizes infrequency.

sometimes

A very general term for things that happen at times.

from time to time

Highlights the periodic nature of the events.

at times

Implies that something happens periodically.

every so often

Indicates irregular intervals.

once in a while

Suggests a less frequent occurrence.

now and then

Indicates that something happens irregularly.

at intervals

Highlights the breaks between occurrences.

periodically

Focuses on the recurrence at set times.

FAQs

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

You can use "upon occasion" to indicate that something happens sometimes or intermittently. For example: "Upon occasion, I enjoy reading classic literature."

What phrases are similar to "upon occasion"?

Alternatives to "upon occasion" include "occasionally", "sometimes", and "from time to time".

Is it better to use "upon occasion" or "on occasion"?

"Upon occasion" and "on occasion" are very similar in meaning and usage. The choice often comes down to personal preference, although "upon occasion" may be perceived as slightly more formal.

When is it inappropriate to use "upon occasion"?

It might be inappropriate to use "upon occasion" in very informal settings where a more casual phrase like "sometimes" would be more suitable.