a unique occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unique occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that is one of a kind or not commonly found. Example: "The sudden snowfall in April was a unique occurrence that surprised everyone in the town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

This is a unique occurrence in the 21st century.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor was it even a unique occurrence that year on the outskirts of Faversham, though it was certainly the most deadly.

The Guardian - Books

Clearly, not all assignable rock types would fit into Werner's categories, either superpositionally in some local succession or as a unique occurrence at a given site.

Britannica

Iceland is a unique occurrence in Europe: it is a volcanic island situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge within the still-opening Atlantic Ocean.

Britannica

There was something of a unique occurrence after 79 minutes when Josh Murphy, making his full senior debut, was substituted by his identical twin brother Jacob, also making his full senior debut.

The Guardian - Sport

A unique occurrence of permafrost one that has no analogue on land lies under the Arctic Ocean, on the northern continental shelves of North America and Eurasia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Due to regional censorship, the game was also released with green-colored blood and black-and-white fatality sequences in Japan; it was at that time an unique occurrence of a western game being censored in Japan, not the reverse.

Wikipedia

In short, the VGKs appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals is a rarity and unique occurrence on many levels.

Forbes

I wouldn't raise this issue if it were a bizarre or unique occurrence.

Forbes

Uncertain georeferenced specimens as well as specimens from identical localities for each species were deleted from the database prior to analyses, leaving a total of 335 unique occurrence localities for Isolona and 737 for Monodora (Table S1).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In Judaism and Christianity the unique occurrence of a historical event serves as a basis for belief in a long-desired future.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a unique occurrence", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the event or situation truly unique. Provide specific details or comparisons to highlight its distinctiveness.

Common error

Avoid labeling something as "a unique occurrence" if it only has minor differences from similar situations. True uniqueness implies a fundamental departure from the norm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unique occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific event or situation that is distinct and uncommon, aligning with Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a unique occurrence" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to highlight events or situations that are exceptional and rare. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility across various contexts. While it is not exceedingly common, it finds frequent use in news, scientific reports, and encyclopedic entries. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the distinctiveness of the event to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "an unusual event" or "a rare phenomenon" can offer stylistic variations. Remembering these nuances will help ensure your writing is precise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unusual event

Focuses on the deviation from the norm or expected.

a rare phenomenon

Emphasizes the infrequency and exceptional nature of the event.

an exceptional case

Highlights the deviation from typical or ordinary cases.

a singular instance

Stresses the individuality and distinctiveness of the occurrence.

an unprecedented situation

Implies that there's no prior example or parallel.

a one-time event

Indicates that the event happened only once and is not expected to recur.

an isolated incident

Suggests the event is not connected to other events or patterns.

an uncommon instance

Emphasizes the rarity of the occurrence compared to typical events.

atypical example

Focuses on the departure from the usual or standard example.

non-recurrent event

Highlights the lack of repetition or recurrence of the event.

FAQs

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

Use "a unique occurrence" to describe something that happens rarely or has never happened before. For example, "The discovery of that artifact was "a unique occurrence" in the history of archaeology".

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

You can use alternatives like "an unusual event", "a rare phenomenon", or "an exceptional case" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "very unique occurrence"?

Yes, the term "unique" already implies one-of-a-kind, so adding "very" is redundant. Just use ""a unique occurrence"".

What's the difference between "a unique occurrence" and "a typical event"?

"A unique occurrence" refers to something rare and exceptional, while "a typical event" refers to something common and expected. They are antonyms.