a serious occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or incident that is significant or has important implications, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The company faced a serious occurrence when a data breach compromised sensitive customer information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The unlawful obstruction related to a very serious occurrence -- a double homicide," Tagliabue wrote.

The New York Times - Sports

"So when there's a more serious occurrence, we hear it and don't actually react".

The New York Times

"Both those people, working in concert, really may have prevented a much more serious occurrence," Mr. Hellwig said.

The New York Times

But Steven Banks, attorney-in-chief at the Legal Aid Society, said that what Officer Del Toro "candidly admitted" in his testimony is a "serious daily occurrence".

The New York Times

Recently the landslide failures in Hulu Langat (2011) and Bukit Antarabangsa (2008) have been given due notice by the government to mitigate serious occurrence.

Procedia Engineering

Early detection and preventive measures can help prevent serious occurrences of periodontal diseases and in most cases restore oral health.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The unanimously approved resolution passed by the Board of Trustees last week cited "repeated, serious occurrences of campus-based shootings".

The New York Times

Serious occurrences never seemed all that serious.

Vice

Serious occurrences never seemed all that serious here.

Vice

Nonserious occurrences of hypocalcemia were observed in 3.2 % of patients; no serious occurrences were reported.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

1 All are potentially capable of causing complications, 2, 3 but fortunately, serious occurrences are rare, although probably underreported.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious occurrence", ensure the context clearly establishes the nature and implications of the event to emphasize its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious occurrence" when a simpler, more direct term like "problem" or "issue" would suffice. Overusing formal language can diminish the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to an event or incident that is notable for its gravity or potential consequences, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious occurrence" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe an event of significance, often with negative implications. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its acceptability and provides various examples from reputable sources like The New York Times, science journals, and academic publications. While the phrase is appropriate for formal contexts, alternatives like "grave incident" or "critical event" may offer a more precise nuance depending on the specific situation. The key is to ensure the context justifies the use of such a weighty term, avoiding overuse in situations where simpler language would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave incident

Replaces "occurrence" with "incident" and uses "grave" instead of "serious" to emphasize the severity.

a critical event

Substitutes "serious" with "critical" to highlight the importance of the event.

a significant matter

Replaces "occurrence" with "matter" and "serious" with "significant" to denote importance.

a major event

Uses "major" instead of "serious" to indicate the event's scale and impact.

an alarming development

Replaces "occurrence" with "development" and uses "alarming" instead of "serious" to emphasize concern.

a disturbing incident

Substitutes "serious" with "disturbing" to focus on the unsettling nature of the event.

a regrettable episode

Replaces "occurrence" with "episode" and uses "regrettable" instead of "serious" to convey disappointment.

a momentous occasion

Uses "momentous" instead of "serious" to highlight the importance and potential consequences of the occasion.

a consequential happening

Replaces "occurrence" with "happening" and "serious" with "consequential" to emphasize results.

a dire situation

Uses "dire" to describe the urgency or gravity of the situation, rather than calling it an "occurrence".

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious occurrence" to describe events with significant negative implications. For instance: "The data breach was "a serious occurrence" for the company's reputation."

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

Alternatives include phrases such as "a grave incident", "a critical event", or "a significant matter", depending on the context.

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

While "a serious occurrence" is generally suitable for formal writing, consider whether a more specific term would be more effective. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted.

What distinguishes "a serious occurrence" from "an ordinary event"?

"A serious occurrence" implies significant consequences or implications, setting it apart from a routine or inconsequential event. The seriousness highlights the potential impact.