What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
occasional
Example
I only have an occasional drink with my friends. [occasional: adjective]
Example
She works as a substitute teacher on an occasional basis. [occasional: adverb]
random
Example
He picked a random number between one and ten. [random: adjective]
Example
The computer generates random passwords for security purposes. [random: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Occasional is more commonly used than random in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts. Random is often used in technical or scientific contexts, where precision and accuracy are important.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between occasional and random?
Both occasional and random can be used in formal and informal contexts, although random may be perceived as more technical or scientific in nature.
