a outbreak of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a outbreak of" is not correct in written English.
The correct form is "an outbreak of" due to the vowel sound that follows "an." Example: "There was an outbreak of flu in the community last winter."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The C.D.C.'s MMWR publishes its first description of a outbreak of 41 cases of Karposi's Sarcoma, a rare skin cancer.

The New York Times - Science

It's been a turbulent few years for shoppers, with beef prices still high from droughts in the Midwest and a outbreak of avian flu driving up chicken and turkey prices earlier this year.

Los Angeles Times

For example, the sequenced C. jejuni strain 81116 [16] was originally isolated from a human case during a outbreak of campylobacteriosis in a school [17].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This investigation was a response to an outbreak of hepatitis A in rural China in 2013.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

On June 5 , 1981 the Centers for Disease Control ran an item about an outbreak of a mysterious lung ailment.

Los Angeles Times

On March 18, the California Department of Public Health first announced an outbreak of the Hepatitis A virus.

University of California, Berkeley

Wet spring weather brought on an outbreak of a disease on familiar shade trees.

Cornell University

It's an outbreak of a different kind of irrational exuberance.

The New York Times - Style

Think of it as an outbreak of a positive infection.

Huffington Post

Last year, for instance, four markets in New Jersey had an outbreak of an H7 flu.

The New York Times

Murnau framed the spectral drama with a sober chronicle of an outbreak of the Black Death.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound, such as in the correct phrase "an outbreak of". Pay close attention to the phonetic sound, not just the letter.

Common error

Avoid using "a" before words that start with a vowel sound. The correct article to use in this case is "an", as in "an outbreak of". Saying "a outbreak" is a common grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a outbreak of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form, "an outbreak of", functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the commencement or sudden increase in the occurrence of something, often negative, like a disease or conflict. Ludwig AI indicates this grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The query phrase, "a outbreak of", is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "an outbreak of". As Ludwig AI highlights, the indefinite article "an" must precede words starting with a vowel sound. The phrase refers to a sudden or widespread instance of something, particularly undesirable events. Despite its grammatical incorrectness, the search results demonstrate its usage across various contexts, notably News & Media, Science and Academia. When writing, ensure correct usage to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an epidemic of

Replaces "outbreak" with "epidemic", specifically referring to the rapid spread of a disease.

a surge of

Uses "surge" to indicate a sudden increase or rush, suitable for abstract or concrete phenomena.

an eruption of

Implies a sudden and forceful emergence, often used for emotions or unrest.

a wave of

Suggests a sweeping and pervasive occurrence, like a trend or feeling.

a spate of

Indicates a large number of similar events occurring in quick succession.

an instance of

Refers to a particular occurrence or example, more general than "outbreak".

a burst of

Implies a sudden and energetic release or display of something.

an incidence of

More formally denotes the occurrence or rate of something, often a disease.

a flurry of

Suggests a brief and active period of related events.

a rash of

Implies a sudden and unwelcome series of events, often negative.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a outbreak of"?

The correct phrasing is "an outbreak of". The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What does "an outbreak of" mean?

The phrase "an outbreak of" refers to a sudden or widespread occurrence of something, especially an unwelcome phenomenon, such as a disease or violence.

Are there any synonyms for "an outbreak of"?

Yes, some synonyms include "a surge of", "a spate of", or "an epidemic of", depending on the context.

How can I use "an outbreak of" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "There was an outbreak of measles in the school." or "The city experienced an outbreak of violence after the protest."