separate occasions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "separate occasions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to different instances or events that occur independently from one another. Example: "I have visited that museum on separate occasions, each time discovering something new."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He did so on six separate occasions.

The Guardian

Only Michael Jordan had accomplished that -- on two separate occasions.

The New York Times - Sports

On at least 3 separate occasions, Allen declined.

The New Yorker

Lenin went to Siberia on two separate occasions.

The New Yorker

Compounds were screened in quadruplicate on three separate occasions.

Nature

From Siberia.' " Lenin went to Siberia on two separate occasions.

The New Yorker

The pair apparently met on three separate occasions this summer.

The Guardian - Music

"Mission accomplie," Hannan quipped to me, on two separate occasions.

The Guardian

Each volunteer visited the centre on two separate occasions.

The Guardian

On four separate occasions he used the phrase "stupid pitch".

The New York Times

"On five separate occasions I asked them.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "separate occasions" when you want to emphasize that events or instances are distinct and not directly related or connected. This phrase is particularly useful in scientific reports, news articles, and formal communication where clarity and precision are important.

Common error

Avoid using "separate occasions" interchangeably with "on several occasions" if you need to emphasize the independence or distinct nature of the events. "On several occasions" simply indicates multiple instances without necessarily implying separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "separate occasions" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when or how often an action occurred. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correctly and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "separate occasions" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that events or instances happened at different times and are not directly related. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including science, news media, and formal communications. When using the phrase, ensure that the emphasis on the distinct nature of the events is intended; otherwise, a simpler phrase like "on several occasions" might suffice. Related phrases such as "distinct instances" or "different times" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct instances

Emphasizes the uniqueness and individuality of each event, suggesting a clearer differentiation between them.

different times

Focuses on the temporal aspect, highlighting that the events occurred at various points in time.

individual instances

Highlights the isolated nature of each event, emphasizing that they are not connected or dependent on each other.

various instances

Implies a collection of different events, without necessarily emphasizing their separation.

isolated incidents

Suggests that the events are not only separate but also potentially unexpected or unusual.

discrete events

Highlights the clear and distinguishable nature of each event, indicating no overlap or ambiguity.

independent events

Emphasizes that the events are not causally related or influenced by each other.

on several occasions

Implies multiple instances, but without the emphasis on separation.

at different junctures

Focuses on specific moments in time, suggesting a formal or significant context.

in different settings

Highlights that the events occurred in various environments or contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "separate occasions" to indicate that events occurred at different times and are not directly related. For example, "I have seen her at the library on "separate occasions", but we've never spoken."

What's a more formal way to say "separate occasions"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "distinct instances" or "discrete events" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is there a difference between "separate occasions" and "different times"?

While both phrases indicate that events occurred at various points, "separate occasions" often emphasizes the independence or lack of connection between the events, whereas "different times" simply focuses on the temporal aspect.

When should I use "on several occasions" instead of "separate occasions"?

Use "on several occasions" when you want to indicate that something happened multiple times without necessarily emphasizing that those instances were unrelated or distinct. If the separation or independence of the events is important, "separate occasions" is more appropriate.