an anomalous event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an anomalous event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an occurrence that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. Example: "The scientists were puzzled by the anomalous event that disrupted the usual patterns of migration in the birds."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"This is such an anomalous event, it's just impossible to know how it's going to affect business books any more than anyone knows how it's going to affect the economy at large," he said.

The New York Times

In a 2008 slide presentation about its Xkeyscore surveillance program, the agency described "using encryption" as an "anomalous event" — cause for further scrutiny — on par with "searching the web for suspicious stuff".

The New Yorker

Past studies have often used frequency-based approach to quantify changes in the events, which requires us to define an anomalous event by calculating a frequency of threshold exceedance and aggregating across space.

University of California, Berkeley

Two important features are emphasized in this method: (i) automatic adjustment of the detection threshold according to the traffic conditions; and (ii) timely detection of the end of an anomalous event.

Computers & Security

The method proposed aims to classify an anomalous event within signatures of a set of design-basis accidents and normal state of a Brazilian pressurized power reactor, besides generating a 'Don't Know' answer to accidents outside the training scope.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

The occurrence of such an anomalous event suggests that the state of interplate coupling is unknown.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But for many people here, what seemed most important today was not the scientific data, or engineering jargon, or calls for calm from public officials that invariably accompany any anomalous event at a nuclear power plant.

The New York Times

One of the questions that we must ask is how to do control experiments to compare with the analyses that indicate an anomalous effect of global events.

Princeton University

Calling the spill an "unprecedented anomalous event," Allen said that he had talked with other industry executives to weigh their opinions of how the spill should be handled.

Huffington Post

I think the most fundamental error we make is mistaking a noisy, anomalous event for the norm.

Forbes

A signal is a hint to some anomalous event.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an unusual event, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "An anomalous event" is suitable for formal contexts but can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "an unusual occurrence" in less formal settings.

Common error

While "an anomalous event" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal or technical in everyday conversation. Opt for more natural language like "something strange happened" or "an odd thing occurred" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an anomalous event" functions as a noun phrase, where "anomalous" modifies the noun "event". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. It typically identifies an occurrence that deviates from the expected or normal pattern.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an anomalous event" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe something deviating from the norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, its strength lies in formal and scientific contexts, where it serves to highlight unusual occurrences. While versatile, it may sound stilted in casual settings where simpler terms like "unusual occurrence" are preferable. Remember to consider your audience and context when choosing between "an anomalous event" and its many alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unusual occurrence

Replaces "anomalous" with a more common synonym, making it less formal.

an atypical incident

Substitutes both "anomalous" and "event" for synonyms that maintain a similar level of formality.

an exceptional circumstance

Emphasizes the rarity and deviation from the usual course of events.

a peculiar happening

Adds a sense of mystery or strangeness to the event.

an extraordinary episode

Highlights the remarkable or noteworthy nature of the event.

a deviant case

Focuses on the deviation from the standard or expected pattern.

an irregular phenomenon

Highlights the non-standard and possibly unexplainable nature of the occurrence.

an off-normal situation

Emphasizes that something is outside of the usual parameters or operating conditions.

a statistical outlier

More technical term emphasizing data points deviating from the central tendency.

a one-off instance

Implies that the event is unlikely to be repeated.

FAQs

How can I use "an anomalous event" in a sentence?

You can use "an anomalous event" to describe something that deviates from the norm, such as "The sudden drop in temperature was "an anomalous event" for this time of year".

What is a simpler way to say "an anomalous event"?

Alternatives include "an unusual occurrence", "an atypical incident", or "something unusual happened", depending on the context.

Is "an anomalous event" the same as "an unusual event"?

While similar, ""an anomalous event"" often implies a more significant deviation from the norm, potentially with scientific or technical implications. "An unusual event" is a more general term.

In what kind of situations is it appropriate to use "an anomalous event"?

"An anomalous event" is suitable for formal writing, scientific reports, or technical discussions where precise language is important. It might sound out of place in casual conversation.