on which occasion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on which occasion" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to a specific event. For example, "I remember the first time we met, on which occasion we agreed to start working together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

According to Carstenszoon, the Batavia River was a large river, which in 1606 "...  the men of the yacht Duijfken went up with the boat, on which occasion one of them was killed by the arrows of the natives".

Wikipedia

Their first visit to Britain came in 1962, on which occasion he recorded the Mozart Sinfonia concertante for violin, viola and orchestra, with Yehudi Menuhin the other soloist.

Independent

And this anniversary of his death comes just two months after what would have been his seventieth birthday, on which occasion Hendrik Hertzberg remembered him.

The New Yorker

Halis Bayancuk, the reputed Isis leader in Turkey, has been arrested just as he was a year ago – on which occasion he was soon released, and the police who detained him sent to prison instead.

Independent

On July 4, 1862, Dodgson and his friend Robinson Duckworth, fellow of Trinity, rowed the three children up the Thames from Oxford to Godstow, picnicked on the bank, and returned to Christ Church late in the evening: "On which occasion," wrote Dodgson in his diary, "I told them the fairy-tale of Alice's Adventures Underground, which I undertook to write out for Alice".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The following February, he appended a note to his entry: On which occasion I told them the fairy-tale of "Alice's Adventures UnderGround," which I undertook to write out for Alice, and which is now finished (as to the text) though the pictures are not yet nearly done.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

We bargained for the holidays, who got the kids on which occasions and remarkably, it worked out well.

Huffington Post

Hence, the risk of infection is greatest when slaughtering in the context of traditional sacrificial practices, on which occasions aerosols of infected blood are likely to be generated.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

The fifth question related to days on which social occasions were missed because of headache.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

After one occasion on which he had sex with her, he heated up a hairpin and branded her with it.

Independent

That was one of the few occasions on which he fired his own gun.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on which occasion" to add a level of formality to your writing when referring back to a specific event or time. For instance, "The conference took place in Rome, on which occasion several key partnerships were formed."

Common error

Avoid using "on which occasion" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "when" or "at that time" are more appropriate in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on which occasion" serves as a relative adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time or circumstances under which an event occurred. It functions to connect a main clause with additional information about a particular event, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on which occasion" is a grammatically correct and relatively common construction used to link events with added contextual information. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples. While versatile, it is best suited for formal writing and academic or scientific contexts, where its precision enhances clarity. When writing for less formal audiences, consider using simpler alternatives. The most frequent source categories in Ludwig's examples are News & Media and Science, highlighting its prevalence in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at which time

Focuses on the specific time when something happened, rather than the event itself; more direct.

upon that event

Formal phrasing. Focuses on the event as the cause.

when it occurred

Focuses on the occurrence itself, less formal.

when that happened

Simple phrasing, useful in less formal contexts. Changes structure.

during that instance

More technical, emphasizing a particular instance. Different register.

at that moment

Highlights a specific point in time, potentially less broad.

in that situation

Emphasizes circumstances; more general than a specific event.

on that day

Specifies a particular day, less about the surrounding events.

on which day

More specific to calendar dates, less versatile.

as it happened

Describes events unfolding naturally; lacks formality.

FAQs

How can I use "on which occasion" in a sentence?

Use "on which occasion" to refer back to a specific event or moment in time, often to add a degree of formality. For example, "The company celebrated its 50th anniversary, "on which occasion" they announced new initiatives."

What are some alternatives to "on which occasion"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "at which time", "when that happened", or "upon that event". Choose the phrase that best fits the formality and flow of your writing.

Is "on which occasion" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "on which occasion" is more suited for formal writing. In less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "when" or "at that time" might be more appropriate.

How does "on which occasion" differ from "at which time"?

"On which occasion" generally refers to a specific event or circumstance, while "at which time" refers more directly to a point in time. The former is event-focused, and the latter is time-focused.