was only occasionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was only occasionally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happens infrequently or not regularly. Example: "The train service was only occasionally disrupted due to maintenance work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their conclusion was: only occasionally.

The New York Times - Health

Even then, transfusion was only occasionally successful.

The Economist

But the disparity was only occasionally irritating.

The New York Times - Arts

To the understandable consternation of Scots, the debate was only occasionally about Scotland at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

She handles power with taste and control and was only occasionally too loud.

The New York Times - Arts

The navy, taking its direction from the naval and marine committees of the Congress, was only occasionally effective.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For Ms. Principe, her family's life in Germany was only occasionally and reluctantly revealed in vague snippets.

The New York Times

During the depression, his father was only occasionally employed so his mother took a job in a local brickyard.

The Guardian

Consumption was a form of Russian roulette in which a live round was only occasionally fired, though when this did happen the effect could be ruinous.

Independent

The peculiar idiom of the trumpet limited it mostly to fanfares and signals, however; it was only occasionally joined with other wind instruments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As choreography "Perceptual Motion" was only occasionally of note (Mr. Scantlebury's Taste solo, the opening of Smell, a few other moments).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was only occasionally" to describe events, behaviors, or conditions that happened with noticeable infrequency. This emphasizes the irregularity, making your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "was only occasionally" when the situation warrants a stronger term to indicate rarity or complete absence. Using "was never" or "was seldom" might be more appropriate to convey the intended meaning with greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was only occasionally" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the frequency with which an action or state occurred. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing events, conditions, or behaviors that happened infrequently. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was only occasionally" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that signifies infrequency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's prevalent across various domains, notably in News & Media and Scientific contexts, making it a versatile choice for expressing that an event or condition happened sometimes but not regularly. For alternatives, consider phrases like "happened infrequently" or "occurred sporadically", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes it clear what activity is only occurring occasionally. While versatile, avoid overuse in situations requiring stronger terms, such as "never" or "rarely".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happened infrequently

Focuses on the low frequency of occurrence.

occurred sporadically

Emphasizes the irregular and unpredictable nature of the occurrence.

was intermittently

Focuses on the start-and-stop nature of the event.

appeared from time to time

Highlights the intermittent nature of the event's appearance.

was not always

Suggests that the state or condition was not constant.

was sometimes

Indicates that the situation happened, but not always.

was seldom

Implies that the event was rare.

was rarely

Similar to 'seldom' but emphasizes the infrequency even more.

was uniquely

Emphasizing the state of being unique in certain cases.

was uniquely but

Emphasizing the state of being special in some cases.

FAQs

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

Use "was only occasionally" to indicate that something happened infrequently or not regularly. For example: "The museum "was only occasionally" open on weekends".

What are some alternatives to "was only occasionally"?

You can use alternatives like "happened infrequently", "occurred sporadically", or "appeared from time to time" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While "occasional" means infrequent, using "was only occasionally" is more grammatically correct and natural when describing the frequency of an event or state. "Was only occasional" is less common and can sound awkward.

What is the difference between "was only occasionally" and "was rarely"?

"Was only occasionally" suggests that something happened sometimes but not often, while "was rarely" implies it almost never happened. "Was rarely" indicates a higher degree of infrequency.