on two occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

"on two occasions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to two separate times or occasions in which something happened or didn't happen. For example: "I have seen him on two occasions, once at the supermarket and again at the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On two occasions one of the dishes ordered was forgotten.

The New York Times

Subjects were tested on two occasions one week apart.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Police called out on two occasions".

Independent

On two occasions, volunteers were beaten.

The Economist

The trial was performed on two occasions.

Vaccine

On two occasions it was too late.

The Guardian

Interestingly enough, on two occasions Mahler came to New Haven.

Yale University

One hundred and seventy women participated on two occasions.

Patient Education and Counseling

The afternoon session was red-flagged on two occasions.

Independent

Ader attempted to fly Avion III on two occasions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Apple tart on two occasions had a slightly soggy crust.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on two occasions" when you want to specifically emphasize that an event or situation occurred twice, neither more nor less. This phrase adds a level of precision appropriate for formal writing.

Common error

While "on two occasions" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "twice" or "a couple of times" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on two occasions" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the frequency or timing of an event. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples include, "On two occasions, volunteers were beaten" or "The trial was performed on two occasions."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

46%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on two occasions" is a grammatically sound and versatile adverbial phrase used to specify that something happened exactly twice. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic writing, this phrase offers a precise way to indicate frequency, suitable for formal communication. While alternatives such as "twice" exist, "on two occasions" provides a distinct emphasis on the specific number of occurrences. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in casual contexts to maintain a natural and appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twice

This is a shorter, more direct way of saying something happened "on two occasions".

on a couple of occasions

This alternative is slightly less formal than "on two occasions".

two times

This is a more literal and less idiomatic way of expressing the same idea.

in two instances

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the distinct occurrences.

on two separate occasions

This emphasizes the distinctness of the two events.

on a pair of occasions

This uses a slightly more descriptive term for 'two', adding a touch of formality.

on double the occasion

This phrase is less common, but it emphasizes that it happened more than once.

in both instances

This alternative implies that the topic had limited instances.

a couple of times

This is a more colloquial way of saying "on two occasions".

in duplicate instances

This is a more technical or formal way to express the idea of something happening twice.

FAQs

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

You can use "on two occasions" to specify that something happened twice. For example, "On two occasions, the meeting was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances."

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

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

Is it more formal to say "on two occasions" or "twice"?

"On two occasions" is generally considered more formal than "twice". Use "on two occasions" in professional or academic writing where precision is important. "Twice" is acceptable in most other contexts.

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

"On two occasions" means exactly two times, while "on several occasions" indicates more than two times, but not a large or specific number. If the number of occurrences is important, use "on two occasions"; otherwise, "on several occasions" may be appropriate.