a bizarre occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bizarre occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that is strange or unusual. Example: "The sudden appearance of a rainbow at midnight was truly a bizarre occurrence that left everyone in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A bizarre occurrence in the United States around 1930 was an omen of things to come.

The New Yorker

"Why both happened at the same time — two different vendors, two different processes, two different types of stickers — it's really a bizarre occurrence," Mr. Swarts said.

The New York Times

To me, one of the chief amusements of the work is the presence of Mr. Forbush's large company of informers, or tipsters: people who at one time or another wrote him or phoned him to tell of an encounter with a bird — a strange doing, an odd fact, a bizarre occurrence.

The New Yorker

In a larger sense, it would be helpful if we could say to the Palestinian people that we recognize that their experience of being displaced by a people who had been in exile for nearly 2,000 years is a bizarre occurrence by historical standards.

The New York Times

This is a bizarre occurrence!

Huffington Post

Who else can single-handedly make Lasorda talk himself hoarse, a bizarre occurrence that happened on Strawberry's first day of spring training.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Neither is Schulz a surrealist: bizarre occurrences flood his fiction (people transformed into bundles of rubber tubing; a man engineered into a doorbell; Hades relocated to provincial Poland), but his project prizes rather than disdains logic, and he doesn't seek to shock.

The Guardian - Books

The episode wasn't the only bizarre occurrence at a Chinese airport recently, however.

Independent

This being New York and Mayor Michael Bloomberg being who he is, the city immediately capitalized on the bizarre occurrence to test ways to track a real attack with airborne gases.

The New York Times

Another bizarre occurrence in that game was the overtime goal by Joe Pavelski, scored just 65 seconds into the extra frame.

The New York Times

This bizarre occurrence took place in December 1976 when the design studio Hipgnosis was working on the sleeve for Pink Floyd's tenth album, Animals.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bizarre occurrence" to describe events that deviate significantly from the norm, adding an element of intrigue or disbelief to your writing. Be mindful of the context, as the phrase can sometimes imply a negative or unsettling connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "a bizarre occurrence" for minor, everyday anomalies. Its strong connotation is best reserved for truly strange or unusual events, not simply as a synonym for "unusual thing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bizarre occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, where "bizarre" modifies the noun "occurrence". It serves to describe an event or incident that is notably strange or unusual. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bizarre occurrence" is a noun phrase used to describe events that are strikingly unusual or strange. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While its register is generally neutral, it's best reserved for situations that truly warrant the description, adding an element of intrigue to writing. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting its role in reporting unexpected or anomalous events. Alternative phrases, like "an odd incident" or "a strange event", can be used depending on the desired nuance. Be cautious not to overuse the phrase in mundane contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strange event

Substitutes "bizarre" with "strange" and "occurrence" with "event", offering a more common and slightly less intense description.

a freakish event

Emphasizes the highly unusual and unexpected nature of the event.

an odd incident

Replaces "bizarre occurrence" with synonyms that also denote something strange or unusual but with less emphasis on the strangeness.

a peculiar incident

Uses "peculiar" instead of "bizarre", suggesting something is strange or eccentric.

an unusual happening

Replaces "bizarre" with "unusual" and "occurrence" with "happening", making the phrase sound slightly more formal.

an extraordinary incident

Highlights the exceptional nature of the event, suggesting it is noteworthy and beyond the ordinary.

an anomalous event

Replaces both words with synonyms that convey a more technical or scientific tone.

a curious episode

Suggests the event provokes interest or questions due to its unusual nature.

an uncommon phenomenon

Shifts the focus to the rarity of the event and frames it as something observed or experienced.

an atypical situation

Emphasizes the deviation from the norm or standard, focusing on the situational context.

FAQs

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

Use "a bizarre occurrence" to describe a strange or unusual event. For example, "The sudden rain of frogs was "a bizarre occurrence" that baffled scientists."

What can I say instead of "a bizarre occurrence"?

You can use alternatives like "a strange event", "an unusual incident", or "an odd happening" depending on the context.

Is "bizarre occurrence" formal or informal?

"Bizarre occurrence" is suitable for both neutral and slightly formal contexts. However, it is more appropriate for describing specific incidents rather than everyday situations. More formal alternatives exist, such as "an anomalous event".

What makes something qualify as "a bizarre occurrence"?

For something to be described as "a bizarre occurrence", it should significantly deviate from what is considered normal or expected, often evoking a sense of surprise or disbelief. Regular deviations from the norm don't qualify, but things that are both unexplainable and incredibly rare will qualify.