on three different occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on three different occasions" is a perfectly valid expression in written English.
You can use it to refer to any situation where something happened, or didn't, three times in a row. For example, "I have seen him on three different occasions, but he has never acknowledged me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But only one person won the prize on three different occasions with them: Mr Fallrueckzieher.

The Guardian - Sport

The subjects were evaluated at the study center on three different occasions separated by at least one week.

BMC Gastroenterology

Or just imagine if Wayne Rooney had sunk his teeth into opponents on three different occasions.

The Guardian - Sport

She has been incarcerated on three different occasions and received 60 to 70 lashes each time.

The Guardian

(It was still nearly incinerated on three different occasions in the following decades).

The New Yorker

"I've had the privilege of meeting her and being with her on three different occasions".

The New York Times

He has served the department as director of graduate studies on three different occasions, covering a total of seven years.

Princeton University

After Luke's death, "defendant [Ryan] forced Rick Stice to copulate with a goat on three different occasions".

The New Yorker

"The council just ignored it when I pointed it out to them on three different occasions," he said.

Independent

On three different occasions I was told, "If you record this call, we cannot talk to you".

The New York Times

Wortman pleaded guilty to attempted murder on three different occasions, and apologised to his wife and children in November.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on three different occasions" to clearly indicate that something occurred multiple times, each time distinct from the others. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and everyday conversation.

Common error

While variations exist, avoid substituting with overly complex or uncommon phrases when "on three different occasions" provides sufficient clarity. Simpler language often enhances understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on three different occasions" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when or how frequently an action occurred. It provides a precise temporal reference, indicating repetition across distinct instances, as Ludwig examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

40%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on three different occasions" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that an event or action occurred multiple times under distinct circumstances. As verified by Ludwig, it enjoys widespread usage across various contexts, including news & media, science, and academia, marking it as a common and grammatically sound expression. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "three separate instances" or "in three distinct cases", "on three different occasions" strikes a balance between formality and clarity, making it suitable for a wide range of writing and speaking scenarios. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively incorporate this phrase to enhance precision and provide specific temporal references in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three separate instances

Replaces "occasions" with "instances" and "different" with "separate", emphasizing the distinct nature of each event.

in three distinct cases

Substitutes "occasions" with "cases" and "different" with "distinct", highlighting the individuality of each situation.

three instances

A simplified version of the original phrase, reducing redundancy while keeping the core meaning intact.

on three unique events

Emphasizes the singularity of each event by using "unique" instead of "different" and "events" instead of "occasions".

on three various instances

Replaces "different" with "various", indicating a diversity among the instances.

in three individual circumstances

Uses "circumstances" instead of "occasions" to highlight the specific conditions surrounding each event, while "individual" replaces "different".

three times over

Offers a simpler and more concise alternative, focusing on the repetition of an action or event.

on three diverse opportunities

Replaces "occasions" with "opportunities", suggesting a favorable moment or chance for something to happen.

threefold

A concise term that means having three parts or aspects, or being three times as great or numerous. It captures the essence of something happening three times.

in three separate turns

Uses "turns" instead of "occasions" to emphasize sequential or rotational events. The expression is more suitable to highlight actions taken by different subjects in a sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "on three different occasions" in a sentence?

You can use "on three different occasions" to describe something that happened multiple times, for example, "On three different occasions, I tried to call him, but he didn't answer."

What are some alternatives to "on three different occasions"?

Some alternatives include "three separate instances", "in three distinct cases", or "three times over", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "on three different occasions" compared to "three times"?

Yes, "on three different occasions" is generally more formal than the simpler phrase "three times". The best choice depends on the formality of your writing or speech.

What is the nuance between "on three different occasions" and "three times"?

"On three different occasions" emphasizes that the events were distinct and possibly separated by time or circumstance, whereas "three times" simply indicates frequency without necessarily implying distinct events.