a routine occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a routine occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happens regularly or frequently. Example: "For the past few months, receiving late shipments has become a routine occurrence in our supply chain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

This became a routine occurrence when he and Mr. Cho were flying around the country to promote the first film.

The New York Times

I was struck that my friends accepted this as a routine occurrence and me as a renowned writer.

The New Yorker

Later, we see why: deaths in the Cody clan are a routine occurrence.

Independent

All of that means that movie and entertainment deals in China have become a routine occurrence in Hollywood.

The New York Times

Concussion, or traumatic brain injury, is a routine occurrence: in every rugby match in the professional game there is at least one concussion; two-thirds of concussions occur during the tackle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because artillery fire is a routine occurrence at night on almost every American base in Vietnam, and because everyone knows that it is all American or Allied, it arouses no alarm, and no curiosity.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Given that amnesia is a fairly routine occurrence when alcohol is involved, it can be a source of frustration to use this as a criterion for doing a head scan.

Independent

Upon touchdown, Nasa's mission control in Houston said the Soyuz had landed on its side after being caught by the wind, but this was a fairly routine occurrence.

The Guardian

A crowd of about 100 people gathered outside the local administration in Sevastopol cheered when a Russian armoured personnel carrier rolled past – an apparently routine occurrence in the port city where Russia's Black Sea fleet is stationed.

The Guardian

They were the latest sign of what officials warn could become an almost routine occurrence this summer, as demand continues to outpace supply, despite efforts to promote conservation, including an agreement announced today between Gov. Gray Davis and commercial landlords and janitors intended to reduce power use by 10percentt in 2,500 office buildings.

The New York Times

And massive data breaches came to seem like an almost routine occurrence in 2017.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something negative that happens often, use "a routine occurrence" to subtly emphasize the problematic nature of its frequency. For instance, "Customer complaints became a routine occurrence, signaling deeper issues with product quality."

Common error

While "a routine occurrence" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse can diminish its impact. Instead of always using this phrase, vary your language with synonyms like "common event" or "regular happening" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a routine occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a situation or event that happens regularly and is considered commonplace. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in describing various recurring events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a routine occurrence" is a versatile phrase used to describe events that happen regularly and are considered commonplace. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. While highly similar alternatives include phrases like "a common event" or "a regular happening", it's essential to consider the subtle nuances in meaning to choose the most appropriate option. When incorporating this phrase in your own writing, be aware of potential overuse in formal contexts and aim to use it thoughtfully and deliberately to precisely convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a regular event

Uses "regular" instead of "routine", suggesting a scheduled or expected happening.

a usual event

Uses "usual" instead of "routine", indicating conformity to what is generally expected.

a common event

Replaces "routine" with "common", emphasizing frequency without implying predictability.

a frequent event

Substitutes "routine" with "frequent", highlighting the high number of times something happens.

a typical event

Replaces "routine" with "typical", focusing on the event being representative of a standard pattern.

an everyday event

Replaces "routine" with "everyday", emphasizing how normal or ordinary the event is.

a normal event

Substitutes "routine" with "normal", suggesting that the event is within the bounds of what is considered ordinary or standard.

a commonplace event

Emphasizes the lack of uniqueness or surprise associated with the event.

a standard event

Highlights that the event adheres to an established or accepted norm.

a daily event

Focuses on the frequency of the event, specifically that it happens every day.

FAQs

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

You can use "a routine occurrence" to describe something that happens regularly or frequently. For example, "Delays have become "a routine occurrence" on this route."

What phrases are similar to "a routine occurrence"?

Similar phrases include "a common event", "a regular event", or "a frequent event".

Is it better to say "a routine occurrence" or "a usual occurrence"?

"A routine occurrence" and "a usual occurrence" are quite similar, but "a routine occurrence" may imply something is part of a set procedure or pattern, whereas "a usual occurrence" simply means it happens often or is expected.

What's the difference between "a routine occurrence" and "an everyday occurrence"?

"A routine occurrence" suggests something happens regularly as part of a specific process or situation. "An everyday occurrence" implies something happens so often it's considered a normal part of daily life.