a random occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a random occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that happens by chance without any specific cause or intention. Example: "Winning the lottery is often seen as a random occurrence that can change someone's life overnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Fumbles are a random occurrence," Schwartz said he told Belichick.

The New York Times - Sports

"It would almost be easier to take if it was just a random occurrence, just a stretch of terrible luck," said Gale Taylor, the tribal health director, a non-Indian who had a miscarriage.

The New York Times

When medical researchers report their findings, they need to know whether their result is a real effect of what they are testing, or just a random occurrence.

The New York Times - Science

Rather, the increase was caught by a computer at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's headquarters in Lower Manhattan, where a statistical analysis program warned that there was only a 1 in 1,000 chance of such a thing being a random occurrence.

The New York Times

Martin Biegelman, a former postal inspector in New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix and St . Louiswho is now director of investigative services for BDO Seidman, a forensic investigative practice in Manhattan, believes that there are too many coincidences concerning the anthrax cases to make it a random occurrence.

The New York Times

If no particular flood or drought or storm can be directly attributed to climate change — there's always the possibility that any single event was just a random occurrence — the over-all trend toward more extreme weather follows from the heating of the earth.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

But her visit was a totally random occurrence".

The New York Times

Chillingly, the agency said in one directive that the discovery of some of the most serious damage had been "a purely random occurrence".

The New York Times

There may also be something systematically different about parents who divorce compared with those who don't, whereas death can be seen as a relatively random occurrence.

Human Nature

This procedure was repeated thousand times, enabling to define a probability of random occurrence of a given pair (mean and coefficient of variation).

BioMed Research International

The second method implements a model of random occurrence of DNA fragment clusters in the genome.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing statistical data or research findings, use "a random occurrence" to describe events that are statistically insignificant or within the expected range of variation.

Common error

Avoid attributing causation to an event that may simply be "a random occurrence". Always consider other factors and conduct thorough analysis before drawing conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a random occurrence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies an event or situation characterized by its lack of predictability or discernible cause, a concept confirmed by Ludwig and its example usages.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science & Research

5%

Unknown

11%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a random occurrence" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an event lacking a specific cause or predictable pattern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal scientific discussions to news reporting. While alternatives like "chance event" or "accidental incident" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid confusing correlation with causation and always consider alternative explanations before labeling an event as simply "a random occurrence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a chance event

Focuses on the element of chance and unpredictability.

a coincidental happening

Emphasizes the lack of planned or causal connection.

an accidental incident

Highlights the unintended nature of the event.

a fluke event

Suggests an unusual and unlikely occurrence.

a haphazard event

Indicates a lack of order or planning.

a fortuitous event

Highlights the chance and fortunate nature of the event.

a stochastic event

Emphasizes randomness from a statistical viewpoint.

a chance phenomenon

Stresses the unexpected or unexplained quality of an event.

an arbitrary incident

Highlights that the event is based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

a contingent event

Underlines that the event may or may not occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "a random occurrence" to describe an event that happens by chance and without any apparent cause. For example: "The error in the data was likely "a random occurrence" and not indicative of a larger problem."

What are some alternatives to "a random occurrence"?

Alternatives include "chance event", "coincidental happening", or "accidental incident". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a random occurrence" in formal writing?

Yes, "a random occurrence" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, academic, or business contexts where describing chance events is necessary.

What's the difference between "a random occurrence" and "a pattern"?

"A random occurrence" describes an isolated event without a discernible cause or pattern, while "a pattern" suggests a recurring or predictable sequence of events.