on both occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

"on both occasions" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to something that happened on two different occasions. For example: "I saw her wearing the same dress on both occasions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On both occasions, the campaign survived.

The Economist

On both occasions, he disappointed them.

The Economist

He wept on both occasions.

The Guardian - Film

But on both occasions he blew it.

The Guardian - Sport

On both occasions, Tokyo also bid.

The Guardian - Sport

On both occasions, England played with fire.

The Guardian - Sport

On both occasions Manning ignored them.

The Guardian - Sport

On both occasions there was controversy.

The Guardian

He was warned on both occasions.

The Guardian - Sport

On both occasions he lost out.

The Guardian

On both occasions, she inhaled noxious gas.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on both occasions" to clearly indicate that something happened identically or similarly in two distinct instances. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the connection between the two events in your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "on both occasions" in very simple sentences where "both times" would suffice. While grammatically correct, it can sound unnecessarily verbose. Opt for the simpler alternative to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on both occasions" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred. It indicates that the action or state described happened twice. Ludwig confirms the accuracy and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on both occasions" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to clearly indicate that something occurred in two separate instances. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news and scientific publications, make it a reliable choice for effective communication. While simpler alternatives like "both times" exist, "on both occasions" offers a more formal and emphatic tone. Be mindful of context to choose the most appropriate phrasing for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both times

A more concise and common way of saying "on both occasions".

in both instances

Replaces "occasions" with "instances", providing a slightly more formal tone.

in both situations

Substitutes "occasions" with "situations", appropriate when referring to circumstances.

on both of those times

Uses "times" instead of "occasions", adding a more colloquial feel.

on each of the two instances

Adds emphasis by specifying "each of the two".

in either of the two cases

Focuses on the "cases" rather than the "occasions", suitable when referring to specific situations.

on the two separate instances

Emphasizes the distinct nature of the events.

for both events

Emphasizes specific events rather than general instances.

each time it happened

Simplifies the phrasing to focus on the event happening more than once.

in the two incidents

Replaces occasions to the term incidents

FAQs

How can I use "on both occasions" in a sentence?

You can use "on both occasions" to link two separate events where a similar action or result occurred. For example, "The team tried a new strategy; "on both occasions", it failed to improve their performance."

What are some alternatives to using "on both occasions"?

Alternatives include "both times", "in both instances", or "in either case". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. For example, you can use "both times" to convey a more concise and informal tone.

Is it better to say "on both occasions" or "in both occasions"?

"On both occasions" is the correct and more idiomatic choice. "In both occasions" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "on" to refer to specific instances or events.

What's the difference between "on both occasions" and "in both cases"?

"On both occasions" refers specifically to events or instances in time, while "in both cases" refers to situations or scenarios. For example, "On both occasions, he arrived late," versus "In both cases, the decision was controversial."