an exceptional occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an exceptional occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that is unusual or noteworthy. Example: "The sudden snowfall in April was an exceptional occurrence that surprised everyone in the town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It is the same with the Tories: when George Osborne spoke about the arts at Tate Modern recently, it was an exceptional occurrence.

The Guardian

This means that someone who has committed theft in breach of trust could face a sentence of anything from a fine to six years' imprisonment, without the judge having to justify their decision.Far from being an exceptional occurrence, Ashworth expects inconsistent and idiosyncratic sentencing to "occur with some frequency".

The Guardian

Ureteral injury is an exceptional occurrence during RALRP, which can occur secondary to seminal vesicle dissection, extensive lymphadenectomy or bladder neck reconstruction.

Insights into Imaging

Current guidance says police should take the mentally ill to a hospital or similar location in all but exceptional circumstances, but the investigation said detention in police cells was far from an exceptional occurrence.

BBC

Current guidance says police should take people with mental health problems to a hospital or similar location in all but exceptional circumstances, but the investigation found detention in police cells was far from an exceptional occurrence.

BBC

Such gestures serve as a signal from empathic observers that the plight they have witnessed is an exceptional occurrence for the protagonist.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

By contrast, the one great triumph of President Kennedy in the Cuban missile crisis rested on acceptance of the challenge to think through an extraordinary, exceptional occurrence.

Harvard Business Review

The mayor praised the Police Department, which worked with the F.B.I. and other agencies on the case, and described the disruption of the terror plot as a frightening but exceptional occurrence.

The New York Times

It is "not far-fetched" (wa lâ yab'ud), Avicenna says, that the imaginative faculties of such persons are able to depict the emanated universal intelligible forms in particular, sensory, terms.[43] Prophecy is thus a natural, if exceptional, occurrence for Avicenna, who equivocates on the issue of personal providence.

SEP

Such introgressive hybridization, in a sympatric zone of exceptional occurrence, between Coffea arabica and one of its diploid ancestors has been documented by Mahé [89].

Plosone

But X must also be genuinely informative, otherwise the 'restriction' becomes something like A, unless not A. This would be less of a problem for someone who held that in the whole history of the universe, only the appearance of horses was such an exceptional, paranormal occurrence.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an exceptional occurrence" to emphasize the unusual nature of an event, particularly when contrasting it with typical or expected outcomes. For example: "Despite the economic downturn, the company's profit increase was an exceptional occurrence."

Common error

Avoid using "an exceptional occurrence" in situations that are only mildly unusual. This phrase is best reserved for events that are genuinely rare or remarkable, not for everyday deviations. Using it too frequently can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exceptional occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, where "exceptional" modifies the noun "occurrence". It emphasizes that the event or situation being described is out of the ordinary. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an exceptional occurrence" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe events that deviate significantly from the norm. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in the English language. Its register is generally neutral to formal, making it appropriate for news, scientific, and academic contexts. While not overly common, it's a useful phrase when emphasizing the rarity or unusual nature of something. Remember to reserve it for genuinely remarkable events to maintain its impact, and consider alternatives like "a rare event" or "an unusual incident" to introduce variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rare event

Focuses on the infrequency of the event.

an unusual incident

Emphasizes the deviation from the ordinary.

an extraordinary event

Highlights the remarkable nature of the occurrence.

an uncommon phenomenon

Stresses the infrequency and its nature as an observable fact.

a singular instance

Points out the uniqueness of the event.

a freak incident

Suggests an unpredictable and strange nature of the event.

an isolated case

Indicates that it is a standalone event not part of a pattern.

a departure from the norm

Highlights that the event is different from what is typical or expected.

an atypical situation

Emphasizes the unusual character of the situation.

a one-off event

Implies that the event is unlikely to happen again.

FAQs

How can I use "an exceptional occurrence" in a sentence?

Use "an exceptional occurrence" to describe something that stands out as rare or unusual. For example: "The discovery of the ancient artifact was "an exceptional occurrence" in the field of archeology".

What are some alternatives to "an exceptional occurrence"?

Alternatives include "a rare event", "an unusual incident", or "an extraordinary event". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an exceptional occurrence" in formal writing?

Yes, "an exceptional occurrence" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing significant deviations from the norm in academic, scientific, or professional contexts. Ensure the context warrants the emphasis on rarity.

What's the difference between "an exceptional occurrence" and "a common event"?

"An exceptional occurrence" describes something infrequent and noteworthy, while "a common event" refers to something that happens regularly or is generally expected. The former highlights rarity, the latter, frequency.