on previous occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

"on previous occasions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that has happened more than once in the past. Example sentence: On previous occasions, we have had excellent results when we tried this strategy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On previous occasions I asked the callers what their number one issue was.

Huffington Post

Meals on previous occasions were good.

The New York Times

But what happened on previous occasions I've no idea.

The Guardian - Sport

8.46am GMT Pistorius threatened people with violence (on previous occasions).

The Guardian

On previous occasions, the Met had suggested less exciting opportunities.

The New Yorker

"Section 282 is more democratic and the Senate has acknowledged that on previous occasions," Rhiannon said.

The Guardian

Ms Woodall had appeared in court on previous occasions over her daughters' truancy.

The Guardian

Candidates in the presidential campaign have expressed their religious faith in public terms on previous occasions.

The New York Times

On previous occasions they were resisted by temple security staff, according a trustee of the Gurdwara.

The Guardian

I was shocked to learn that 41 doctors had seen Andreas Lubitz on previous occasions.

The Guardian

As on previous occasions, the insurgents chose the time, manner and place of the attack.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on previous occasions", ensure the context makes it clear what specific events or situations you are referring to, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "on previous occasions" in very informal settings might sound overly formal. Consider using simpler alternatives like "before" or "in the past" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on previous occasions" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurred. It provides temporal context by indicating that an event has happened multiple times in the past. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on previous occasions" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves as an adverbial modifier, indicating that an event has occurred multiple times in the past. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability. It's commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and other formal contexts, signifying a neutral to slightly formal register. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose simpler alternatives like "before" or "in the past" for very informal settings. Related phrases include "in prior instances" and "at former times", offering nuanced ways to express recurrence. Overall, understanding its function and context ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in previous instances

Simply substitutes "occasions" with "instances", maintaining virtually identical meaning.

in prior instances

Replaces "occasions" with "instances" and "previous" with "prior", emphasizing a formal tone.

in earlier instances

Substitutes "previous" with "earlier", maintaining a similar meaning with a slight variation in emphasis.

on earlier instances

Swaps "previous" for "earlier", offering a less formal tone while retaining the meaning.

at former times

Uses "former times" instead of "previous occasions", indicating a more distant past.

in past situations

Replaces "occasions" with "situations", focusing on the circumstances surrounding the events.

in times past

Employs a more concise and somewhat archaic phrasing to indicate past occurrences.

in prior episodes

Replaces "occasions" with "episodes", which is more suitable when describing events that are part of a series or sequence.

in the past

Offers a simple and direct way to refer to past events, lacking the specificity of the original phrase.

previously

Provides a concise adverbial alternative, suitable for situations where a brief reference to the past is sufficient.

FAQs

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

You can use "on previous occasions" to refer to something that has happened multiple times in the past. For example, "On previous occasions, the meeting was held in the conference room".

What are some alternatives to "on previous occasions"?

Some alternatives include "in the past", "previously", or "at former times", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is it more appropriate to say "on previous occasions" or "in previous occasions"?

"On previous occasions" is the correct and more commonly used prepositional phrase. "In previous occasions" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "on previous occasions" and "on other occasions"?

"On previous occasions" specifically refers to earlier instances, while "on other occasions" can refer to different or separate instances, not necessarily prior ones.