was occasionally used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was occasionally used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happened from time to time in the past. Example: "The old typewriter was occasionally used for special projects, despite the availability of modern computers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Mrs Beeton was occasionally used as an authority of last resort, like the dictionary.

The Guardian - Books

After Stalin's death, the law was rarely applied, but it was occasionally used to prosecute dissidents.

The New Yorker

Surfaces were modulated with natural grains, knotholes, or ebonized accents for contrast; though modest, inlay was occasionally used.

Britannica

Parker was occasionally used as a receiver, a kickoff returner and a place-kicker, primarily for extra points.

The New York Times

It was occasionally used after the Norman Conquest to designate members of the royal family e.g., William the Aetheling, son and heir of King Henry I.

Britannica

After regular express service ended in 1976, the lower level of Bergen Street was occasionally used whenever trains ran detours via the express track.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

By 15, she was occasionally using cocaine.

The New York Times

Italian is occasionally used as well.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today 3-dimensional (3D) imaging is occasionally used.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

That Web site is occasionally used to release government information.

The New York Times

Ivory and lead were occasionally used, gold very rarely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the frequency of an action or state in the past, use "was occasionally used" to indicate that it happened sometimes but not regularly. This provides a clear understanding of the infrequency.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice (e.g., "was occasionally used") as it can make your writing sound weak or vague. Consider using the active voice where appropriate to make your statements more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The tool was occasionally used by the team", try "The team occasionally used the tool".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was occasionally used" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something received an action, but not on a regular basis. Ludwig confirms this pattern through numerous examples where the phrase describes infrequent or periodic usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

23%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Science

18%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was occasionally used" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase that describes something happening from time to time. It's versatile and suitable for various writing styles, with a neutral register. As Ludwig showcases, it appears frequently in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. Remember to consider alternative phrases such as "was sometimes employed" or "was infrequently utilized" based on the desired level of formality and to be careful about overusing the passive voice. Ludwig’s analysis validates its proper use for indicating that something received action periodically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was sometimes employed

Replaces "used" with "employed", adding a slightly more formal tone but maintaining the core meaning of occasional usage.

was infrequently utilized

Substitutes "occasionally" with "infrequently" and "used" with "utilized", emphasizing the rarity of the usage and adding formality.

saw intermittent application

Uses "intermittent application" to convey occasional use, focusing on the inconsistent nature of the application.

experienced sporadic use

Replaces "occasionally used" with "sporadic use", highlighting the irregular and scattered nature of the usage.

was periodically implemented

Emphasizes that the use happened at intervals by saying "periodically implemented".

was now and then in service

Expresses occasional use through the phrase "now and then in service", suggesting a less consistent form of operation.

was intermittently operated

Focuses on the operational aspect of usage, indicating that it was not in continuous function.

was sparsely adopted

Implies a limited and scattered acceptance or implementation, akin to occasional use.

had limited application

Uses a different structure to imply occasional use by stating the application was limited.

was at times exploited

Substitutes "used" with "exploited", implying that something was leveraged when the opportunity arose.

FAQs

How can I use "was occasionally used" in a sentence?

You can use "was occasionally used" to describe something that happened from time to time, but not on a regular basis. For example, "The back entrance "was occasionally used" when the main entrance was blocked."

What are some alternatives to "was occasionally used"?

Some alternatives include "was sometimes employed", "was infrequently utilized", or "saw intermittent application". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "was occasionally used" formal or informal?

"Was occasionally used" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives such as "was infrequently utilized".

What's the difference between "was occasionally used" and "was frequently used"?

"Was occasionally used" indicates something happened sometimes, but not often, while "was frequently used" implies it happened often and regularly. The difference lies in the frequency of the action.