a one-time occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a one-time occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happens only once and is not expected to happen again. Example: "The power outage was a one-time occurrence, and the city has since upgraded its infrastructure to prevent future issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The district told Newsweek in a statement that it received two complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation from students but insists the Bible reading was a one-time occurrence.

HuffPost

The cost for brands to use the service will depend on either the number of messages sent or whether the promotion was a one-time occurrence, like an event sponsorship, Ms. Lee said.

The New York Times

"This is just a one-time occurrence," he said.

The New York Times

But Straw hinted at the time that the visa might be a one-time occurrence.

The New York Times - Sports

Using condiments to soothe workplace burns is more than just a one-time occurrence at McDonald's.

The Guardian - Business

Indeed, the video gaffes do not appear to be a one-time occurrence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

This isn't a one time occurrence.

Huffington Post

I would have thought that this was OK if it was a one time occurrence.

Vice

Although the actual dollars involved in this Goldman Sachs fiasco, as counted so far, by comparison to the US economy, is small, the horrendous implication is that this fraud by Goldman is not a one time occurrence.

Huffington Post

While speculation exists that "Deflate Gate" was a one time occurrence, data I introduced last week indicated that the phenomena MAY have been an ongoing, long standing issue for the New England Patriots.

Huffington Post

The Chicago Tribune reported that the Department of Human Rights received a complaint in November from sales representative Montrelle Reese, who said one of his supervisors used the N-word around black employees -- and it was not a one time occurrence.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a one-time occurrence" to clearly convey that an event is not part of a pattern and is not expected to repeat. This is particularly useful in reports, analyses, or explanations where clarifying the infrequency of an event is important.

Common error

Avoid using "a one-time occurrence" when describing events that are simply infrequent but could potentially recur. Instead, reserve it for situations where there's a clear understanding or expectation that the event is truly isolated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a one-time occurrence" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes something that happened only once, emphasizing its singularity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a one-time occurrence" is a commonly used phrase to describe an event that happens only once and is not expected to repeat. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and readily understood. While it appears most frequently in news and media, it is also present in scientific and general contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the event truly is isolated, as confusing it with infrequent but recurring events can be a common mistake. Alternatives such as "isolated incident" or "unique instance" can also be considered based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Isolated incident

Focuses on the event being detached and not part of a pattern.

Singular event

Emphasizes the uniqueness and infrequency of the event.

Unique instance

Highlights that the event is unlike any other.

Exceptional case

Suggests the event deviates from the norm or expectation.

Non-recurring event

Explicitly states that the event will not happen again.

Isolated case

Similar to isolated incident, but emphasizes the case aspect.

One-off event

A more informal way of saying "a one-time occurrence".

Sporadic instance

Suggests the event is infrequent and scattered.

Unrepeated event

Highlights the lack of repetition.

Rare phenomenon

Implies the event is unusual and uncommon.

FAQs

What does "a one-time occurrence" mean?

The phrase "a one-time occurrence" refers to an event or situation that happens only once and is not expected to repeat in the future.

How can I use "a one-time occurrence" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe incidents like: "The system failure was "a one-time occurrence" due to a software glitch", or "The bonus was "a one-time occurrence" to reward exceptional performance".

What can I say instead of "a one-time occurrence"?

You can use alternatives like "isolated incident", "singular event", or "unique instance" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "a one-time occurrence event"?

Yes, saying "a one-time occurrence event" is redundant because "occurrence" already implies an event. Stick to using either "a one-time occurrence" or "a one-time event".