a singular incident

USAGE SUMMARY

'a singular incident' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe an event that is uncommon or unusual, and may be either positive or negative. For example, "The scandal was a singular incident that caused a great uproar in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Investigators, however, were pursuing allegations that beer drinking by officers outside the station house was routine, not a singular incident.

The New York Times

Though the city had an eerie calm, as if nothing were amiss, many foreigners in Afghanistan, not least the big UN contingent, are now asking whether this was a singular incident or a harbinger of worse outbreaks of violence.In this section Seven brothers Burning passions Sensational Lights, camera...Anwar?

The Economist

Rather a singular incident or technological material phenomenon could have initiated the fatigue crack, which then caused the accident.

Engineering Failure Analysis

Baltimore PD Spokeswoman Sarah Connolly told VICE in an email, "We are investigating each incident as a singular incident while examining any trends and patterns to ensure that we are deploying our officers and resources effectively while being proactive and engaging the community.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A few singular incidents marred an otherwise non-violent day of voting, including a rock-throwing incident aimed at a car carrying Poroshenko Bloc candidates Sergiy Leshchenko, Mustafa Nayem, and Svitlana Zalishchuk near Znamyanka in Kirovograd Oblast.

Vice

Expand on this singular incident.

WikiHow

This April, the federal monitor charged with overseeing the implementation of those reforms issued a report praising the Department's progress, saying that a clear drop in use-of-force incidents signaled a "singular and foundational milestone on SPD's road to full and effective compliance — and represents Seattle crystallizing into a model of policing for the 21st century".

Vice

". "The incident with B. Scott was a singular one with a series of unfortunate miscommunications from both parties," the network explained.

Huffington Post

It is a singular document.

The New Yorker

There's a singular aftermath.

The New York Times

Lund is a singular creation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a singular incident" when you want to emphasize that an event is unique, isolated, and not part of a pattern. This can be useful in reports, analyses, or narratives where distinguishing individual occurrences is important.

Common error

Avoid using "a singular incident" to describe common or recurring events. This phrase is best reserved for truly unique or exceptional situations to maintain its impact and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a singular incident" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to describe a unique or isolated event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a singular incident" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a unique or isolated event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and notes its prevalence in describing uncommon or unusual occurrences. While not overly frequent, it effectively conveys the exceptional nature of an event, making it suitable for news, analytical, and descriptive contexts. Remember to reserve it for genuinely unique situations to maintain its impact, as overuse can dilute its meaning. Related phrases like "a unique occurrence" or "an isolated event" can offer variety while maintaining the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique occurrence

Replaces "incident" with "occurrence" emphasizing the event's happening.

an isolated event

Focuses on the event being detached or standing alone.

an isolated case

Focuses on the event being detached or standing alone in legal or medical contexts.

a one-off situation

Highlights the non-recurring nature of the circumstance.

a non-recurring occasion

Highlights the non-recurring nature of the circumstance in a more formal way.

an exceptional case

Suggests the incident is an exception to the norm.

an unprecedented event

Emphasizes that the event has no prior parallel.

an atypical episode

Indicates the incident is not typical or representative.

a rare instance

Highlights the infrequency of the event.

a remarkable happening

Emphasizes that the event is worthy of attention.

FAQs

How can I use "a singular incident" in a sentence?

You can use "a singular incident" to describe an event that is unique or unusual. For example, "The data breach was "a singular incident", and the company has since improved its security measures".

What are some alternatives to "a singular incident"?

Alternatives include "a unique occurrence", "an isolated event", or "a one-off situation", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a singular incident" or "a single incident"?

"A singular incident" emphasizes the uniqueness or exceptional nature of the event, while "a single incident" simply indicates that it is one occurrence. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.

When should I use "a singular incident" instead of "a typical incident"?

Use "a singular incident" when the event deviates significantly from the norm and is not representative of other similar events. "A typical incident", on the other hand, describes an event that is representative or common.