on three separate occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on three separate occasions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happened three distinct times. Example: "She mentioned her experience with the project on three separate occasions during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The pair apparently met on three separate occasions this summer.

The Guardian - Music

Instead, Tunisia stormed ahead, on three separate occasions, no less.

The New York Times - Sports

During this time Nahas was arrested, thrown into prison and tortured on three separate occasions.

Columbia University

On three separate occasions, Blackmun was expected to be named chief executive.

The New York Times - Sports

"[One] man was remanded on three separate occasions because of lack of interpreters.

The Guardian

"On three separate occasions (I) asked the three gentlemen to refrain.

The Guardian - Sport

For demonstration purposes, he has been shot with a Taser gun on three separate occasions.

The New York Times - Magazine

The entire measurement procedure was repeated on three separate occasions.

EJNMMI Physics

Indeed, FitzRalph discussed it on three separate occasions.

SEP

As with the 18F experiments, the 68Ge/68Ga measurement procedure were repeated on three separate occasions.

EJNMMI Physics

Beset by health problems including cancer on three separate occasions, Byrne has had over 30 surgeries.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, prefer "on three separate occasions" to emphasize distinct instances or events. This phrase is suitable for reports, articles, and academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "separated" instead of "separate". "Separate" emphasizes distinctness, while "separated" suggests a division that might not be intended in the context of repeated occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on three separate occasions" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate frequency or timing. It specifies the number of times an event occurred, adding detail to the action described. Ludwig confirms that is grammatical and broadly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

45%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on three separate occasions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that specifies the occurrence of an event three distinct times. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it is commonly found in scientific and news media contexts. When writing, using this phrase helps to emphasize repetition or persistence. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios. Remember to use "separate" instead of "separated" to maintain the intended meaning of distinct occurrences. Several alternatives, such as "on three distinct occasions" and "three separate times", can be used to tailor the tone to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on three distinct occasions

Emphasizes the uniqueness and individuality of each occurrence.

on three different occasions

Highlights the variety among the instances.

three separate times

Uses "times" instead of "occasions" for a less formal tone.

in three separate instances

Replaces "occasions" with "instances", focusing on specific occurrences.

on three individual occasions

Stresses the singularity of each event.

on three unique occasions

Highlights the distinctiveness of each event.

on three various occasions

Emphasizes the varied nature of the events.

in three separate cases

Substitutes "occasions" with "cases", implying specific situations.

a total of three times

Shifts the focus to the cumulative number of occurrences.

three times over

Provides a concise way to say something happened repeatedly.

FAQs

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

Use "on three separate occasions" to indicate that something has occurred three distinct times. For example, "The experiment was repeated "on three separate occasions" to ensure accuracy."

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

Alternatives include "on three distinct occasions", "on three different occasions", or simply "three separate times", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "on three separate occasions" or "three separate times"?

"On three separate occasions" is generally more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing. "Three separate times" is simpler and more appropriate for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "on three separate occasions" and "three consecutive times"?

"On three separate occasions" simply means something happened three times, not necessarily in a row. "Three consecutive times" implies that the events happened one after the other without interruption.