a similar occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a similar occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an event or situation that resembles another one previously mentioned or known. Example: "In the past, we experienced a similar occurrence that led to significant changes in our policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Many veteran Senate staff aides and lobbyists said they could not recall a similar occurrence.

The New York Times

But a similar occurrence will surely trigger more wacky conspiracy theories from Dynamo fans.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Johnson said that after the 2003 blackouts the industry instituted safeguards to prevent a similar occurrence.

The New York Times

The good news is he will not have to worry about a similar occurrence.

The New York Times - Sports

Dr. Rigel said that in over three decades of practicing, he had never seen or heard of a similar occurrence.

The New York Times

The horse totally vanished from the news media, and his name was only resurrected after people in the wake of the Eight Belles incident tried to recall a similar occurrence in the Derby.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

In spite of millions of doses being given, we are not aware of any similar occurrence previously.

The Guardian

This distribution differs to that calculated for chloroplasts and mitochondria; in organelles the results indicate a more similar occurrence of disorder in the internal regions (21 - 41% in chloroplasts, and 28 - 46% in mitochondria) compared with the terminal regions (15 - 44% in chloroplasts and 24 - 41% in mitochondria).

BMC Plant Biology

But, as you may have noticed in any piece of news about the area for the past half a century, similar occurrences of injustice aren't exactly a rarity.

Vice

You might read that and think: Well, how can we prevent a similar awful occurrence?

The New York Times

At geosynchronous orbit, a similar MLT occurrence of EMIC waves associated with SW pressure peaks was documented in Clausen et al. (2011) and Park et al. (2016); on the ground, a post-noon occurrence maximum (12 13 MLT) was observed by Kurazhkovskaya et al. (2007) at the Mirny Observatory (77°S invariant latitude, Antarctica) for magnetic impulses accompanied by Pc1 pulsations.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing preventive measures, follow "a similar occurrence" with an explanation of steps taken to avoid repetition of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "a similar occurrence" when referring to an event that is an exact duplicate. Use words like "repetition" or "replication" instead to accurately convey the relationship between the events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a similar occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to an event or incident that shares characteristics with another, indicating a likeness or resemblance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a similar occurrence" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to an event that shares characteristics with another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While precise alternatives like "a duplicate instance" exist, it's vital to choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of similarity you intend to convey. Remember, using preventive measures helps avoid "a similar occurrence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comparable incident

This phrase substitutes "occurrence" with "incident" and "similar" with "comparable", implying a like-for-like event.

a comparable situation

This alternative uses "comparable" which indicates a situation that is similar to another in important aspects.

an analogous event

Using "analogous" instead of "similar" suggests a parallel or resemblance in certain aspects, not necessarily identical.

a parallel situation

Replaces "occurrence" with "situation", framing it as a set of circumstances that mirror another.

a corresponding instance

"Corresponding" indicates a direct relationship or match, and "instance" denotes a particular case or example.

a related episode

"Episode" implies a specific event within a larger sequence, maintaining the sense of a connected occurrence.

a like event

This phrase uses "like" to denote similarity and "event" as a generic term for occurrence, keeping it concise.

a matching case

Presents the occurrence as a "case" that has similarities with another, often used in legal or investigative contexts.

a duplicate instance

"Duplicate" suggests an exact copy or replication of the original occurrence.

a recurrence of events

Focuses on the "recurrence" or repetition of similar events, rather than a single instance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a similar occurrence" to refer to an event that shares characteristics with a previously mentioned or known event. For example, "After the first incident, we implemented new safety protocols to prevent "a similar occurrence" from happening again."

What are some alternatives to "a similar occurrence"?

Alternatives include "a comparable incident", "an analogous event", or "a parallel situation". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a similar occurrence happened again"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, consider if "recurred" or "reoccurred" might be more concise. For example, "A similar occurrence reoccurred despite our efforts."

What is the difference between "a similar occurrence" and "the same occurrence"?

"A similar occurrence" implies that the events share characteristics but are not identical. "The same occurrence" means it's a repeat of the exact same event.