occasions

Everyday

1. Times when something happens: «on three occasions» means three times. tree →
2. Special events or celebrations, like weddings or birthdays. tree →
3. (formal) Reasons or causes: «There is no occasion to worry.» tree →
4. (formal verb) To occasion something is to cause it. tree →

In the lessons

In maths problems «on several occasions» counts how many times something happened. In everyday life, special occasions mean dressing up or a party. Phrases: on occasion (sometimes), special occasions, on two occasions, rise to the occasion.

Examples

• We only use the best plates on special occasions. tree →
• She has been late on three occasions this term. tree →
• Birthdays and weddings are happy occasions. tree →
• On occasion, we eat dinner in front of the TV. tree →
• He rose to the occasion and scored the winning goal. tree →
• On how many occasions did Tom visit the zoo? tree →
• The youngest was called Dummerly, and was on all occasions scorned and ill-treated by the whole family. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: double c, single s: occasion, occasions. Countable. «On occasion» means sometimes, now and then. Maths: «on 4 occasions she saved $5» means 4 × 5 = 20 dollars.

In Jewish tradition

In maths problems «on several occasions» counts how many times something happened. In everyday life, special occasions mean dressing up or a party. Phrases: on occasion (sometimes), special occasions, on two occasions, rise to the occasion.

Examples

• Behold, He findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for His enemy; (Writings JOB.33.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling trap: double c, single s: occasion, occasions. Countable. «On occasion» means sometimes, now and then. Maths: «on 4 occasions she saved $5» means 4 × 5 = 20 dollars.