a rare occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

"a rare occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happens rarely or infrequently. For example, "Winning the lottery is a rare occurrence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Encephalitis is a rare occurrence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was a rare occurrence.

The New Yorker

Art is a rare occurrence.

The New York Times

It was such a rare occurrence.

The New Yorker

"It was a rare occurrence," Clarke said.

The New Yorker

"This was a rare occurrence," he said.

The New York Times

This is not a rare occurrence.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it was hardly a rare occurrence.

The New York Times

"I presume this is a rare occurrence.

The Guardian - Sport

"Back to back is a rare occurrence," Madden said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a rare occurrence, but not unheard-of.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rare occurrence", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered normal or typical, against which the rarity is being judged. This provides a stronger sense of contrast and emphasizes the unusual nature of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "a rare occurrence" when the event is simply undesirable but not statistically infrequent. For example, instead of saying "Engine failures are a rare occurrence", use "Engine failures are undesirable and actively prevented" if the aim is to emphasize prevention rather than actual rarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rare occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an event, incident, or situation that does not happen frequently. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rare occurrence" is a noun phrase used to describe events that happen infrequently. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, and Science, it serves to highlight the unusual or exceptional nature of a situation. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clearly establishes the baseline for what is considered typical, thereby emphasizing the rarity effectively. Related phrases such as "an infrequent event" or "an uncommon phenomenon" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an infrequent event

Focuses on the low frequency of the event.

an uncommon phenomenon

Emphasizes the unusual nature of the event.

an exceptional instance

Highlights the event as being an exception to the norm.

a singular incident

Stresses the uniqueness of the event.

a scarce episode

Indicates the limited availability or existence of such an episode.

an isolated case

Presents the event as separate and not part of a pattern.

a freak happening

Suggests the event is unexpected and deviates from the norm.

an atypical situation

Highlights the event as not conforming to the typical or expected.

an odd circumstance

Emphasizes the strange or peculiar nature of the event.

a once-in-a-blue-moon event

Uses an idiom to convey extreme infrequency.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rare occurrence" to describe something that doesn't happen often. For instance, "Winning the lottery is "a rare occurrence"" or "Seeing snow in July is "a rare occurrence"".

What are some alternatives to saying "a rare occurrence"?

Alternatives include "an infrequent event", "an uncommon phenomenon", or "an exceptional instance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a rare occurrence" or "a scarce occurrence"?

Both "a rare occurrence" and "a scarce occurrence" are grammatically correct, but "a rare occurrence" is more commonly used. "Scarce" emphasizes limited availability, while "rare" focuses on infrequency.

Can "a rare occurrence" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a rare occurrence" is suitable for formal writing. It is a neutral and widely understood phrase that can be used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.