a bizarre incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bizarre incident" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an unusual or strange event that has occurred. Example: "The news reported a bizarre incident involving a man who claimed to have seen a UFO in his backyard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A bizarre incident happened at about that time.

The Guardian

His last week alive was marred by a bizarre incident.

The New York Times

Rogell was particularly remembered for a bizarre incident in Game 4 of the 1934 World Series.

The New York Times - Sports

In Game 2, a bizarre incident interrupted the Yankees' 6-5 victory.

The New York Times - Sports

However, they gifted Cheltenham a way back into the game after a bizarre incident in the 59th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a suitably strange ending to a bizarre incident, one that still seems hard to believe really happened.

The Guardian - Sport

Also in 1963, Mr. Montgomery was involved in a bizarre incident in which his housemaid apparently tried to shoot him.

The New York Times - Arts

George Michael has left hospital after being treated for injuries following a bizarre incident on the M1.

The Guardian - Music

A brief, slightly awkward framing device finds Mundie regaling cocktail party acquaintances with the story of a bizarre incident that took place in 1975.

The New York Times

The most plausible assumption is that a bizarre incident in 1888 may have triggered the train of reflection that culminated in his bequest for the Nobel Prizes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When a former client asked him about a bizarre incident involving a photocopier, his first reaction was, "You guys have to be kidding me".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bizarre incident", ensure the context clearly establishes the unusual or unexpected nature of the event to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing "bizarre" in your writing. While effective for emphasis, excessive repetition can dilute its impact. Consider using synonyms like "unusual", "strange", or "peculiar" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bizarre incident" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it introducing unusual events, for instance, "Also in 1963, Mr. Montgomery was involved in a bizarre incident in which his housemaid apparently tried to shoot him."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bizarre incident" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an unusual or strange event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage, especially in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that "bizarre" emphasizes the strangeness of an event, so ensure this aligns with your intended meaning. While widely accepted, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "unusual occurrence" or "peculiar situation" for variety. Always ensure the context clarifies the unusual nature of the incident to avoid ambiguity. Finally, it's important to use "a" and not "an" before "bizarre incident" because "bizarre" starts with a consonant sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strange occurrence

Changes the adjective from "bizarre" to "strange", offering a slightly less emphatic description of the event.

an odd event

Replaces "bizarre" with "odd" and "incident" with "event", softening the unusual nature of what happened.

a peculiar situation

Uses "peculiar" instead of "bizarre" and "situation" instead of "incident", suggesting something is unusual in a curious way.

an unusual episode

Substitutes "bizarre" with "unusual" and "incident" with "episode", highlighting that it's an isolated event.

a curious happening

Employs "curious" in place of "bizarre" and "happening" for "incident", indicating an event that sparks interest or investigation.

an anomalous event

Replaces "bizarre" with "anomalous", indicating a deviation from the norm.

a freakish occurrence

Uses "freakish" instead of "bizarre", emphasizing the very strange and unexpected nature of the incident.

an exceptional circumstance

Changes both words to suggest the incident is unique and stands apart from regular events.

a remarkable episode

Uses "remarkable" to show the incident is noteworthy, deviating slightly in meaning by focusing on notability rather than strangeness.

an unprecedented situation

Indicates that the situation has never occurred before, shifting the focus from strangeness to novelty.

FAQs

How can I use "a bizarre incident" in a sentence?

You can use "a bizarre incident" to introduce an unusual or strange event in your narrative. For example, "The investigation started after "a bizarre incident" at the local museum."

What are some alternatives to saying "a bizarre incident"?

Alternatives to "a bizarre incident" include "a strange occurrence", "an unusual event", or "a peculiar situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a bizarre incident" or "an bizarre incident"?

The correct phrasing is "a bizarre incident". The indefinite article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, such as "bizarre".

What's the difference between "a bizarre incident" and "an unexpected event"?

"A bizarre incident" implies something is not only unexpected but also very strange or unusual, while "an unexpected event" simply means something wasn't anticipated. The former carries a stronger connotation of strangeness.