an apparent case of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an apparent case of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation that seems to be a particular type or category, but may not be definitively proven. Example: "The investigation revealed an apparent case of fraud, although further evidence was needed to confirm it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

29-year-old Marcus Scott was shot in an apparent case of road rage in Mesquite, Tex., early Monday.

The New York Times

But last February, in an apparent case of mistaken home identity, the bank began foreclosure proceedings against them.

The New York Times

Tim Bresnan and Steven Finn are easily the most capped front-line seamers, although Finn's career has stalled of late due to an apparent case of the yips.

The Guardian - Sport

A couple of weeks ago, in an apparent case of mistaken identity, U.S. soldiers killed two members of the Iraqi police.

The New York Times

A video of a four-wheel-drive reversing at speed towards a group of cyclists in an apparent case of road rage has prompted outrage on social media.

The Guardian

Two people died and five were sickened last night in an apparent case of carbon monoxide poisoning in a Brooklyn apartment building, the authorities said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Within hours, however, another apparent case of leniency toward a pedophile priest emerged.

The New York Times

State officials will investigate this apparent case of medical negligence, the newspaper wrote.

The New York Times

This apparent case of voter fraud benefits the Republican candidate, Harris, who is clinging to a 955-vote lead over Democrat Dan McCready.

Huffington Post

The first apparent case of SARS in Beijing was identified on March 5 in a 27-year-old businesswoman in whom symptoms developed on February 22 while she was traveling in Guangdong.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Ecological surveys to assess the presence of infected bats in that cave are ongoing (P. Rollin, pers. comm).. Our case shows that unnoticed exposure to an unknown reservoir in a country with no apparent cases of MHF can lead to infection.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an apparent case of" when you want to describe something that appears to be a particular type of event or situation, but you do not have definitive proof. Be mindful that overuse can make your writing sound less confident, so consider alternatives when certainty is higher.

Common error

Avoid using "an apparent case of" when you possess concrete evidence. The phrase implies uncertainty, so opt for more assertive language if the facts support a definitive conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an apparent case of" functions as a qualifier, often introducing a situation or event that seems to belong to a certain category but requires further investigation or confirmation. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to introduce a level of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

46%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an apparent case of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce situations that seem to fit a certain category but may lack definitive proof. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in diverse contexts, including News & Media and Scientific publications. When using "an apparent case of", be mindful of overstating certainty and consider alternative phrasings when stronger evidence is available. Understanding the nuances will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a seeming instance of

Emphasizes the impression or appearance of the situation.

a presumed example of

Highlights the assumption or presumption about the situation.

a possible instance of

Suggests that the situation is just one of the many possibilities that can happen.

a likely occurrence of

Focuses on the probability or likelihood of the situation.

a suspected incident of

Highlights the suspicion or belief that a particular event has happened.

a perceived situation of

Focuses on how the situation is perceived or understood.

a tentative illustration of

Highlights the uncertainty and tentativeness in the interpretation.

a superficial display of

Suggests that the situation is only apparent on the surface.

a potential demonstration of

Emphasizes the latent possibility that the situation represents.

a surface indication of

Focuses on the clues or signals that point toward a certain conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "an apparent case of" in a sentence?

Use "an apparent case of" to describe a situation that seems to fit a particular category or type but lacks conclusive proof. For example, "The blurry photo suggested an apparent case of mistaken identity."

What are some alternatives to "an apparent case of"?

You can use alternatives like "a seeming instance of", "a presumed example of", or "a possible instance of" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "an apparent case of"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate that something seems to be a particular instance or example of something else, but there is still some uncertainty or a lack of conclusive evidence.

What's the difference between "an apparent case of" and "an obvious case of"?

"An apparent case of" suggests that something seems to be true based on initial observation, while "an obvious case of" indicates that something is easily and clearly evident. "Apparent" implies a degree of uncertainty, while "obvious" suggests certainty.