Unforeseen circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Unforeseen circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to unexpected events or situations that may affect plans or outcomes. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event has been postponed until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unforeseen circumstances combined with some bad choices put me there.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unforeseen Circumstances.

Forbes

Unforeseen circumstances can and do occur; however, these variances are important to understand and document.

Global health, science and practice

Unforeseen circumstances could force the patient to stop his/her participation preliminary.

BMJ Open

What are the unforeseen circumstances?

The Washington Post

Barring unforeseen circumstances, I promised, I'd be there.

The New Yorker

Some major championships are lost on account of unforeseen circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

A real-time ontology update procedure is also proposed to face unforeseen circumstances.

Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Yet through unforeseen circumstances, pitching to a beat all his own, Soriano has earned the money.

The New York Times - Sports

Both sides expect that, barring unforeseen circumstances, Ms. Kagan will be confirmed.

The New York Times

Apparently it's due to "unforeseen circumstances" and the fact that she's fallen in love with LA.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unforeseen circumstances", ensure the context clearly indicates the impact or consequences of these unexpected events on your subject.

Common error

Avoid using "unforeseen circumstances" as a vague excuse without providing context. Be specific about the nature of the circumstances when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen circumstances" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the subject or object of a sentence, or as part of a prepositional phrase. It typically describes unexpected events or situations that impact plans or outcomes, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unforeseen circumstances" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe unexpected events that cause disruptions or changes. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and frequent usage across various domains. It's prevalent in news, science, and business contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key; avoid vague applications and consider alternatives like "unexpected events" or "unanticipated situations" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unexpected circumstances

Similar to original query, but uses the adjective 'unexpected'.

Unforeseen incidents

Focuses on singular, unexpected events.

Unexpected events

Focuses on the surprise nature of the occurrences.

Unanticipated situations

Emphasizes the lack of prior expectation for the events.

Unexpected developments

Highlights the unfolding nature of the events.

Unpredicted incidents

Stresses that the events were not forecasted.

Chance occurrences

Highlights the randomness and unpredictability of the events.

Fortuitous events

Implies that the events had a positive outcome despite being unplanned.

Surprising turn of events

Highlights the element of surprise and how events have unfolded.

Contingencies

Short and applicable term, referring to a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "unforeseen circumstances" in a sentence?

You can use "unforeseen circumstances" to explain unexpected disruptions or changes. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project timeline has been adjusted".

What are some alternatives to "unforeseen circumstances"?

Alternatives include "unexpected events", "unanticipated situations", or "unforeseen incidents", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "unexpected unforeseen circumstances"?

Yes, saying "unexpected unforeseen circumstances" is redundant. The term "unforeseen" already implies something was not expected. Using just "unforeseen circumstances" is sufficient.

Can "unforeseen circumstances" be used to justify any kind of change?

While "unforeseen circumstances" explains unexpected changes, it's better to provide specific details when possible. Simply stating "unforeseen circumstances" without further explanation can sound vague or dismissive.