noun
1 time when sth happens
ADJECTIVE
▪ countless , many , multiple ( esp. AmE ), numerous
▪
It was the first of many such ~s.
▪ a few , several , various
▪ rare
▪ previous
▪ different , separate
VERB + OCCASION
▪ recall , remember
PREPOSITION
▪ on an/the ~
▪
The police were called out on 24 separate ~s.
▪ on ~ , on ~s
▪
He has even been known to go shopping himself on ~.
PHRASES
▪ a number of ~s
▪
I have stayed there on a number of ~s.
▪ on one ~
▪
On one ~ he even called me in the middle of the night.
▪ on that ~ , on this ~
▪
On this ~, as it happens, the engine started immediately.
▪ on the odd ~
▪
They came to visit us on the odd ~, but only when they had nothing better to do.
▪ a particular ~
▪
On this particular ~, Joe wasn't there.
2 suitable time
ADJECTIVE
▪ right , suitable ( esp. BrE )
VERB + OCCASION
▪ get , have
▪
I bought the camera last year, but never had the ~ to use it.
OCCASION + VERB
▪ arise
▪
I'll speak to him if the ~ arises.
PREPOSITION
▪ ~ for
▪
It should have been an ~ for rejoicing.
PHRASES
▪ be an ~ for sth , become an ~ for sth
▪
His death became an ~ for widespread discussion of his character.
▪ have ~ to do sth
▪
Last year we had ~ to visit relatives in Florida.
▪ provide an/the ~ for sth
▪
These workshops provide an ~ for talking about art.
▪ use an ~ to do sth , take an ~ to do sth
▪
I want to use this ~ to thank you all for your hard work.
3 special event
ADJECTIVE
▪ auspicious , big , great , historic , important , memorable , momentous , special
▪ festive , happy , joyous
▪ formal , sad , solemn
▪ social
▪ ceremonial , state
▪
Medals are usually worn only on ceremonial ~s.
VERB + OCCASION
▪ celebrate , mark
▪
a party to mark the ~ of their daughter's graduation
▪ rise to
▪
The choir rose to the ~ and sang beautifully.
OCCASION + VERB
▪ call for sth
▪
I do sometimes dance if the ~ calls for it.
PREPOSITION
▪ on ~
▪
I only wear my silk dress on special ~s.
▪ ~ of
▪
the ~ of his 50th birthday
PHRASES
▪ for all ~s , for every ~
▪
We sell cards and notepaper for all ~s.
▪ a sense of ~
▪
On the day of the wedding there was a real sense of ~.