on two different occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

"on two different occasions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe something that happened multiple times, but on two different dates, periods or contexts. Example: I have seen the same person on two different occasions, once at the mall and once at a library.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Martinez walked around the clubhouse gingerly, slowing down on two different occasions so as not to bump into one of his teammates.

The New York Times - Sports

I have visited both houses on two different occasions.

The Guardian

He has tried to commit suicide on two different occasions".

The New York Times

Talk story about visiting Trump Tower on two different occasions.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, October 10 , 1983P. 40 Talk story about visiting Trump Tower on two different occasions.

The New Yorker

The Bills could have had this game put away on two different occasions where safety George Wilson dropped interceptions.

The New York Times

By Natacha Stewart The New Yorker, October 10 , 1983P. 40 Talk story about visiting Trump Tower on two different occasions.

The New Yorker

"Two different inspectors came on two different occasions and had two different approaches to how they weren't doing it right," he said.

The New York Times

Last season, Lindros thought Clarke had made a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs (Lindros's first choice) on two different occasions, but each time the talks broke down.

The New York Times - Sports

"[The woman] reported that on two different occasions the men appeared in the restaurant's kitchen, wrapped their arms around her with force and tried to kiss her".

The Guardian

His student, the cerebrally cold and physically hot David David Selvass), crumples the diskette containing the work right in front of Jaume on two different occasions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on two different occasions", ensure the context clearly differentiates the two instances. This helps avoid confusion and reinforces the idea of separate occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "on two different occasions" multiple times within a short passage. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement. For example, alternate with phrases like "twice", "on a couple of occasions", or "in two separate instances".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on two different occasions" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when or under what circumstances an action occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on two different occasions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that clarifies the timing and frequency of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correctness and broad applicability make it suitable for various writing styles. While alternatives exist, such as "twice" or "on a couple of occasions", this phrase is particularly useful when emphasizing that the events transpired in distinct contexts. It is found across diverse sources, ranging from news and media to scientific publications, cementing its versatility and relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twice

This is the most concise alternative, simply stating the frequency without specifying the separation of events.

on a couple of occasions

Offers a less formal, slightly more vague alternative, implying a small number of instances.

on two separate instances

Emphasizes the distinct nature of each event.

on two distinct occasions

Highlights the individuality and clear separation of each occurrence.

in two separate instances

Similar to "on two separate instances" but with a slightly different prepositional emphasis.

on a few separate occasions

Indicates more than two, but still a limited number of times, providing a less precise count.

on more than one occasion

A more general statement indicating the event happened multiple times but not explicitly twice.

on a prior and a subsequent occasion

Specifically calls out a before and after event.

at two different times

Focuses on the timing of the events rather than the occasions themselves.

on two different instances in time

Highlights that the occasions occurred in separated instances in time.

FAQs

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

You can use "on two different occasions" to describe something that happened twice, but not at the same time or in the same context. For example, "I met her "on two different occasions", once at a conference and once at a coffee shop".

What are some alternatives to saying "on two different occasions"?

Alternatives include "twice", "on a couple of occasions", "on two separate instances", or "in two separate instances". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "on two separate and different occasions"?

While not strictly incorrect, using both "separate" and "different" can be redundant. "On two different occasions" or "on two separate occasions" is usually sufficient to convey the meaning.

What's the difference between "on two different occasions" and "twice"?

While both indicate something happened two times, "on two different occasions" emphasizes that the events occurred in distinct settings or times, whereas "twice" simply states the frequency. For example, "I saw the movie twice" versus "I saw the movie "on two different occasions", once in theaters and once at home".