ENGLISH
REFERENCE

occasionally

adv. freq.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //əˈkeɪʒənəɫi// UK //əkˈeɪʒənəli// oc·ca·sion·al·ly Archaic General-service

adv. sometimes, but not very often. You use this when something happens once in a while rather than on a regular schedule.

adv. at infrequent or irregular intervals; now and then. Typically functions as a frequency marker with a lower probability than 'often' but higher than 'rarely'.


SIMPLE

I occasionally walk to work when the weather is nice.

CONTEXTUAL

We occasionally meet for coffee on Saturday mornings, though we don't have a fixed schedule.

COMPLEX

While the software is generally stable, users may occasionally encounter minor graphical glitches when running multiple high-demand applications simultaneously.

Origin

From Middle English occasionally, occasionaly, occasyoneely, occasyonly, equivalent to occasional + -ly.

Usage

Frequency adverb — typically placed before the main verb, after the verb 'to be', or at the very beginning or end of a sentence.

Pitfall

I occasionally am late.I am occasionally late.When used with the verb 'to be', the adverb should follow the verb rather than precede it.

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