a unique occurrence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unique occurrence of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a specific event or instance that is one-of-a-kind or not commonly found. Example: "The scientist documented a unique occurrence of a rare species blooming in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

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

Therefore, this mixed upper Aptian section, at the North Tucano Basin (Serra do Tonã), is a unique occurrence of utmost importance to the definition of sedimentary events and paleogeographical reconstruction of northeastern Brazil during the late Aptian.

Cretaceous Research

This probably improved the identification of true cases of diabetes compared with a definition based on a unique occurrence of self-reported diabetes.

Diabetes Care

For the unordered combinations, non-redundancy was ensured by collapsing each identified combination in its sorted order (A-B-A or A-C-B or B-A-C = A*B*C), and then counting only a unique occurrence of the unordered combination within a gene promoter.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 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

As importantly, the data derived from the experiments, including performance analysis and wall pressure variations in time and space, are now being made available to the wider academic community, something which for commercial reasons appears to be a unique occurrence for this type of nozzle.

Acta Astronautica

Darla becomes pregnant, a unique occurrence for a vampire.

Wikipedia

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

Prior criminal charges can be used during a trial to support arguments that the Deepwater Horizon disaster is not a unique occurrence, but the result of a corporate culture that lets schedule and budget pressures lead to increases in risk.

The New York Times

The study of a unique occurrence has, no doubt, a value.

Functional Linguistics

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

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a unique occurrence of" when emphasizing that something has happened only once, or is extremely rare and distinct. This phrase is particularly effective in scientific, historical, or analytical contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

While "a unique occurrence of" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a rare event" or "a one-time thing" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unique occurrence of" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves to highlight a singular event or instance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the examples show the phrase is used to describe specific, one-of-a-kind situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a unique occurrence of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the singularity and exceptional nature of an event. According to Ludwig AI, its use is suitable in various contexts, although the examples suggest it is most commonly found in scientific and academic writing. While it can be used in different contexts, its formality makes it less appropriate for casual conversations. When aiming to convey that something has happened only once or is exceedingly rare, "a unique occurrence of" is a fitting choice. Alternative phrases, such as "a rare instance of" or "an exceptional case of", can provide nuanced variations in meaning and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rare instance of

Focuses on the infrequency of the event, emphasizing its scarcity.

an exceptional case of

Highlights the deviation from the norm and the superior quality of the instance.

a singular instance of

Emphasizes the uniqueness and individuality of the event, setting it apart from others.

an unprecedented event of

Stresses the lack of prior examples or parallels, underlining its novelty.

an isolated incident of

Highlights the separation and lack of connection to other events, stressing its distinctiveness.

a one-time event of

Focuses on the non-repeatable nature of the occurrence, emphasizing its limited duration.

an unrepeatable instance of

Emphasizes that the event cannot be replicated, highlighting its singularity.

an uncommon example of

Highlights that the specific example is far from usual.

a distinctive example of

Highlights the unique and easily recognizable qualities of the case.

an unparalleled example of

Emphasizes that nothing else can be compared to it.

FAQs

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

This phrase is used to emphasize the singularity and rarity of an event. For instance, "The discovery was "a unique occurrence of" a species thought to be extinct" shows an unprecedented situation.

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

Alternatives include "a rare instance of", "an exceptional case of", or "a singular instance of", which may suit different contexts.

Is it redundant to say "a unique occurrence of"?

While "unique" implies singularity, pairing it with "occurrence" emphasizes that it's an actual event, rather than a theoretical possibility. It's not strictly redundant, but context matters. If you want to reduce redundancy you can simply say "a unique event".

How formal is the phrase "a unique occurrence of"?

The phrase is relatively formal and suits academic, scientific, or professional contexts. More casual settings may benefit from using simpler expressions, like "a rare event" or "a one-time event".