Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a incidence of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a incidence of" is not correct in English.
The correct form is "an incidence of." You can use it when referring to a specific occurrence or event, particularly in contexts related to statistics or reports of events. Example: "The report highlighted an incidence of fraud that occurred last year."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
11 human-written examples
(a) Incidence of drastic mutations in major gene families.
Science & Research
Results: One hundred and five cases were diagnosed as severe and moderate CHD with a incidence of 1.9%.
To test whether there is unexplained variation in a) incidence of diagnosed bacterial food poisoning; and b) notification of bacterial food poisoning between general practices.
Science
Fig. 5 a Incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) and necessity of replacement renal therapy (RRT) in both groups.
Science
Interestingly, the ATM−/− Gadd45a−/− mice showed higher a incidence of lymphoma and leukemia, as well as an increased rate of metastasis compared to ATM−/− mice.
Science
a Incidence of p-polarised laser (k indicates the wave vector of the excitation laser) with electric field (E) parallel to the tip-axis at a metal or metal-coated tip causes the EM field intensity to be enhanced and confined at the tip-apex.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
49 human-written examples
"This is not a 'row'; it is not a 'tiff': it is an incidence of domestic violence," she said.
News & Media
"This is not a 'row', it is not a 'tiff', it is an incidence of domestic violence.
News & Media
TNDM is a rare entity with an incidence of ∼1 200,000 (34– 36).
Science
In Liberia, a country that never before had an incidence of Ebola, we were utterly ill-equipped and unprepared.
News & Media
Genetics alone has not caused autism to increase from an incidence of 1 10,000 to 1 91 in a twenty year period.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing the frequency of events or cases, consider using more precise terms like "incidence rate" or "prevalence" for clarity, especially in scientific or medical contexts.
Common error
Avoid using the indefinite article "a" before words that begin with a vowel sound; instead, use "an". For example, it should be "an incidence", not "a incidence".
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a incidence of" functions as a noun phrase intended to introduce a specific occurrence or frequency of an event. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "an incidence of".
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
45%
Academia
5%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "a incidence of" appears in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "an incidence of". This phrase is used to describe the frequency or occurrence of events, particularly in scientific and news contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights this grammatical point, emphasizing the importance of using the correct article to maintain clarity and accuracy in writing. Always remember to use "an" before "incidence" due to its vowel sound. Given the availability of grammatically sound alternatives such as "rate of occurrence" and "frequency of cases", prioritizing accuracy will significantly strengthen your writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
rate of occurrence
Focuses on the rate at which something happens, emphasizing speed or frequency over a specific instance.
frequency of cases
Emphasizes the number of instances, particularly in medical or statistical contexts.
number of occurrences
Highlights the total count of times something happens, without necessarily implying a rate.
prevalence of instances
Suggests how widespread or common something is within a specific population or context.
incidence rate
A standard term used in epidemiology and statistics to measure the occurrence of new cases of a condition within a population over a period.
frequency of events
Similar to "rate of occurrence" but highlights specific events rather than a general process.
level of occurrence
Indicates the extent to which something happens, suggesting a degree or intensity of happening.
degree of incidence
How significant or intense the rate is.
count of cases
Focuses on a numerical tally, especially useful when needing a clear and quantifiable number.
pattern of incidence
Highlights recurring features or trends in how an event or condition happens.
FAQs
How do I correctly use "an incidence of" in a sentence?
Use "an incidence of" when you are referring to a particular occurrence or frequency of something. For example, "There was "an incidence of" food poisoning at the event" is better than using "a".
What's the difference between "incidence" and "prevalence"?
"Incidence" refers to the rate of new cases of a condition, while "prevalence" refers to the total number of cases, both new and old, at a specific time. Using them correctly ensures accuracy in statistical and epidemiological contexts.
Is it ever correct to say "a incidence of"?
No, it is not correct. The word "incidence" begins with a vowel sound, so it always requires the article "an". Using "a" is a grammatical error.
What are some alternatives to ""an incidence of"" in formal writing?
In formal writing, you can use alternatives such as "rate of occurrence", "frequency of cases", or "number of occurrences" to convey similar meanings while maintaining precision and clarity.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested