occur on average

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occur on average" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing statistical data or general trends to indicate a typical or mean occurrence of an event. Example: "The temperatures in this region occur on average around 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Magnitude 7 event seems to occur on average one or twice per thousand years, and a recurrence of even these presents a significant challenge for future societies.

University of California, Berkeley

If μ = 0.01, one gene conversion event will occur, on average, per 100 base substitutions between the paralogous repeats.

BMC Genomics

Robin Williams' suicide was only one of the estimated 105 suicides that occur on average each day.

HuffPost

Very great earthquakes occur on average about once per year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two large explosions occur on average in Mogadishu, the capital, every month.

The New York Times

Influenza pandemics are estimated to occur on average once every 50 years.

Britannica

Collisions occur, on average, once every 27 words when using T9, the most widely used predictive-text system.

The Economist

Long-term records of ENSO variation from historical documents, tree rings, and reef corals indicate that El Niño events occur, on average, every two to seven years.

Britannica

Extreme heatwaves are those that occur on average every five hundred years under present climate conditions (hereafter HW500Y; results for 100-year return heatwaves are shown in Supplementary).

Nature

For soft substrates with a Young's modulus E ~ 360 Pa, oscillations occur on average within 0.2 mm distance from the wound edge.

Princeton University

These explosions, which occur on average twice a century in the Milky Way, can produce enormous amounts of energy and be as bright as an entire galaxy.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occur on average", ensure that the context provides a clear understanding of the time frame or sample size over which the average is calculated. This helps to avoid ambiguity and provides a more meaningful interpretation of the data.

Common error

Avoid assuming that events will occur exactly at the stated average frequency within a specific short period. Averages represent long-term trends, and short-term variations are common.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occur on average" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the frequency with which an action or event typically happens. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "occur on average" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express the typical frequency of an event. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's suitable for diverse contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. While "occur on average" is generally correct, be mindful of subject-verb agreement (e.g., "occurs" for singular subjects). Remember, "occur on average" describes a statistical tendency rather than a guaranteed event, and short-term variations from the average are normal. Consider alternatives such as "happen on average" or "typically occur" to suit different tones and contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happen on average

Replaces "occur" with "happen", maintaining the same meaning with a slightly more informal tone.

take place on average

Substitutes "occur" with "take place", offering a more descriptive and formal alternative.

average occurrence

Reformulates the phrase to focus on the "occurrence" as a noun, providing a more concise option.

typically occur

Replaces "on average" with "typically", indicating what usually happens instead of a strict average.

usually happen

Similar to "typically occur", but uses "happen" for a more casual feel.

on average transpire

Employs "transpire" for "occur", adding a touch of formality and suggesting a process unfolding over time.

statistically occur

Highlights the statistical nature of the occurrence, implying a data-driven perspective.

generally occur

Similar to "typically occur", offering a broader sense of what usually happens.

on a regular basis

Shifts the focus to regularity rather than a precise average, suggesting a consistent pattern.

in general occur

Similar to "generally occur", but less common and slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "occur on average" in a sentence?

Use "occur on average" to describe the typical frequency of an event over a specific period. For example, "Major earthquakes "occur on average" once a year."

What phrases are similar to "occur on average"?

Alternatives include "happen on average", "take place on average", or "typically occur", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "occurs on average" instead of "occur on average"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "occur on average" for plural subjects and "occurs on average" for singular subjects. For example: "School shootings "occur on average" about once a month" versus "A major event "occurs on average" every few years."

What does "occur on average" imply about the actual frequency of events?

"Occur on average" indicates the mean frequency of an event. However, it doesn't guarantee that the event will happen predictably at that exact interval. There can be variations in the timing of individual occurrences.