occasion
/əˈkeɪʒn/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈkeɪʒn/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈkā-zhən/ (ame, mw) · /əˈkeɪ.ʒən/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈkeɪ.ʒən/ (ame, ipa)
occasion — noun
1. one specific moment in the past or future at which a particular event takes plac
one specific moment in the past or future at which a particular event takes place, often used to count how many times something has happened.
Mr. Patel has visited the temple on three separate occasions this year.
on + number + occasions for counting events
On one occasion, Lina forgot her passport at the airport gate.
on one occasion as a sentence opener
There were several occasions when the new manager lost her temper with the team.
The mayor mentioned the flood on every occasion he spoke in public.
I have met Dr. Tanaka only once, on the occasion of her retirement party.
文法句型
on + (number/adjective) + occasion(s)
occasion + when-clause
用法筆記
Almost always paired with 'on' as the preposition, not 'in' or 'at'. Frequently quantified ('on three occasions', 'on every occasion') to count distinct instances of an event.
常見錯誤
2. an important social event such as a wedding, anniversary, or ceremony, where peo
an important social event such as a wedding, anniversary, or ceremony, where people gather to mark something meaningful and often dress or act differently from a normal day.
Grandma kept her pearl necklace for special occasions like weddings and graduations.
collocation: special occasions + examples
The chef prepared a five-course menu just for the occasion.
for the occasion as adverbial
Carlos bought a new suit because the wedding was a formal occasion.
The president's visit turned the small village into a national occasion.
Birthday parties were always a big occasion in the Lopez family.
- event
broader; an event need not be social or celebratory
- celebration
stresses joy; an occasion may also be solemn (a memorial)
- ceremony
formal ritual element; an occasion may be informal
文法句型
a + (special/big/formal) + occasion
for the occasion
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense names the gathering itself (the wedding, the ceremony), while sense 1 names a point in time at which something happens. If you can replace it with 'event' or 'celebration', it is sense 2.
常見錯誤
3. a moment that gives you a fair chance or a good reason to do something, used whe
a moment that gives you a fair chance or a good reason to do something, used when the right circumstances finally appear.
The graduation ceremony gave Maya her first occasion to thank her parents in public.
occasion + to-infinitive
His resignation provided the perfect occasion for the team to discuss new leadership.
occasion + for + noun + to-infinitive
There has never been any occasion for Mr. Brown to raise his voice with the children.
The annual dinner is a good occasion to meet new colleagues from other branches.
Her trip to Kyoto offered an occasion for quiet reflection after a stressful year.
- opportunity
everyday synonym; less formal than 'occasion'
- chance
more informal; stresses possibility rather than suitability
- reason
matches the 'cause' nuance, especially in negative sentences
文法句型
occasion + to-infinitive
occasion + for + noun
用法筆記
Often appears in negated form ('there is no occasion to / for…') meaning 'there is no good reason'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on suitability or reason, not on counting time-points.
常見錯誤
4. in the fixed adverb phrase 'on occasion', meaning that something happens from ti
in the fixed adverb phrase 'on occasion', meaning that something happens from time to time but is not a regular habit.
Professor Lin enjoys a glass of red wine on occasion, but never during lectures.
fixed phrase: on occasion as adverbial
The old church bell still rings on occasion, mostly for funerals in the village.
on occasion + frequency follow-up
On occasion, Mrs. Park drives the children to school herself.
The judge has, on occasion, allowed cameras inside the courtroom.
- occasionally
everyday adverb equivalent; less formal
- sometimes
most neutral; broader frequency
- now and then
informal; conversational tone
文法句型
on occasion (as adverbial)
用法筆記
Only meaningful as a complete adverb phrase 'on occasion' — do not modify it with adjectives ('on rare occasion' is wrong; use 'on rare occasions' as a different sense-1 pattern). More formal than 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'.
常見錯誤
occasion — verb
1. to be the thing that makes a particular event, feeling, or situation happen, usu
to be the thing that makes a particular event, feeling, or situation happen, usually one that is unwanted or notable.
The minister's careless remark occasioned a wave of protests across the country.
occasion + abstract noun (negative outcome)
Heavy rains in March occasioned serious damage to the village bridges.
natural cause + occasion + harm
The delay was occasioned by a power failure at the central station.
Her sudden departure occasioned much surprise among her students.
The new tax law has occasioned bitter debate in parliament.
- cause
neutral, all-purpose verb; far more common in speech
- bring about
phrasal verb; less formal, slightly less direct
- give rise to
formal but more current than 'occasion'
- prevent
stops something from happening rather than causing it
文法句型
occasion + noun
be occasioned by + noun
用法筆記
Highly formal and now rare in everyday speech; most common in legal, official, or journalistic writing. Frequently passive ('was occasioned by'). The object is usually an unwanted or notable reaction such as harm, debate, alarm, or surprise.