on serial occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on serial occasions" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It could be used to describe events that happen repeatedly or on multiple occasions, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The committee met on serial occasions to discuss the new policy changes."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

104 A useful bedside screening tool, the Modified HIV Dementia Scale, has been shown to be the most specific and valid assessment tool that can be repeated on serial occasions to follow the trend of symptoms and evolution of the dementia in multiple population types.

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Pregnancy was confirmed by serial rise in serum HCG concentrations on two consecutive occasions 13 days after embryo transfer.

Human Reproduction

Hooked on Serial: whodunnit as cultural phenomenon.

The Guardian - Tech

He was a lecturer on serial arsonists.

Los Angeles Times

From then on, the occasion stayed cheerful.

The New York Times - Arts

On this occasion, serial 50-μm sections were immersed in endogenous peroxidase (1%, 30 min) and Triton x-100 (0.1%, 3 hours).

BMC Veterinary Research

"Now it is only on special occasions".

The Economist

Only drink on special occasions.

WikiHow

Wear them on special occasions.

WikiHow

Except on one occasion.

The New York Times - Science

Thirteen healthy subjects received a rice pudding test meal with added fat or added carbohydrate on two separate occasions and underwent serial postprandial MRI scans for 4.5 h.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more common phrases like "on several occasions" or "repeatedly" for clarity and naturalness in writing. Using "on serial occasions" might sound awkward to some readers, even though it is grammatically correct.

Common error

Avoid using "on serial occasions" excessively in general writing. While technically correct, it's less idiomatic than alternatives. Instead, consider simpler and more widely accepted phrases such as "on several occasions" or "repeatedly" to ensure your writing is clear and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on serial occasions" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the frequency or repetition of an action. Ludwig AI analysis suggests the phrase is grammatically acceptable but less common than its alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on serial occasions" is a grammatically acceptable phrase used to indicate repeated occurrences, particularly in a sequence. However, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not as common or natural as alternatives like "on several occasions" or "repeatedly". Its usage leans towards formal and scientific contexts, though it can appear in news and general writing as well. For clearer and more idiomatic writing, opting for the alternatives is generally recommended. While correct, its uncommon nature might make your writing sound slightly awkward to some readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on several occasions

Replaces 'serial' with 'several', making the phrase more common and natural.

on consecutive instances

Replaces 'occasions' with 'instances' and 'serial' with 'consecutive', emphasizing the sequence of events.

on successive instances

Similar to 'consecutive instances', it highlights the sequential nature but uses 'successive'.

on multiple instances

Emphasizes the quantity of occurrences more than their sequence.

on numerous occasions

Uses 'numerous' to denote a large quantity of occurrences, which is a stronger expression than 'several'.

on a number of occasions

Similar to 'numerous occasions' and indicates multiple instances

repeatedly

A single-word adverb that conveys the idea of multiple occurrences without specifying the sequential nature.

over a series of instances

Emphasizes the 'series' aspect, highlighting that the occasions are part of a sequence.

in a series of occurrences

Replaces 'occasions' with 'occurrences' and uses 'in a series' to show sequence.

at regular intervals

Focuses on the timing between occasions, suggesting they happen predictably.

FAQs

What does "on serial occasions" mean?

The phrase "on serial occasions" means that something happens repeatedly or in a series of instances. However, it's not a very common phrase and might sound unusual to some people.

Is "on serial occasions" grammatically correct?

Yes, "on serial occasions" is grammatically correct, but it's not the most common or natural way to express the idea of something happening repeatedly. Alternatives like "on several occasions" are often preferred.

What are some alternatives to "on serial occasions"?

Some alternatives to "on serial occasions" include "repeatedly", "on multiple occasions", "on several occasions", or "on consecutive occasions". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "on serial occasions"?

While grammatically sound, "on serial occasions" isn't particularly common. It could be used when emphasizing the sequential nature of events or measurements, particularly in scientific or technical contexts, but simpler alternatives are generally favored.