an extraordinary occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extraordinary occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that is remarkable or unusual in nature. Example: "The sudden appearance of a double rainbow after the storm was truly an extraordinary occurrence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was an extraordinary occurrence.

The New Yorker

The painting exceeded the upper end of the estimate by half, an extraordinary occurrence at these stratospheric heights.

The New York Times - Arts

Four years ago, the idea of the US Federal Reserve actually buying anything, in the market, would have been an extraordinary occurrence.

The Guardian - Opinion

F.S.G. has published many Nobel laureates, and the arrival of a book from a well-known writer is not an extraordinary occurrence.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was an extraordinary occurrence: the leader of the EPA, in a foreign land, serving as one of the most outspoken salesmen for the nation's fossil fuel industry.

The Washington Post

Since nearly six years and millions of words of news reporting have failed to disclose any other massacre by American troops on anything like the scale of Son My, the probability that Son My was in fact an extraordinary occurrence looks overwhelming.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

An advanced abdominal pregnancy with a good fetal and maternal outcome is therefore a more extraordinary occurrence in the modern developed world.

BioMed Research International

But another item that got buried in the press late last year is also a reminder of the extraordinary occurrence in Camp David, Maryland, more than three decades ago.

Forbes

Four years ago, we had an extraordinary political occurrence: the party of a president about to be impeached picked up seats in a midterm election.

The New York Times

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

And she made all the difference". Every Turtle Counts - beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Susan Spellman -- tells the story of an extraordinary environmental occurrence: The rarest and smallest sea turtles in the world, the Kemp's ridley, typically hatch on only one small beach near Rancho Nuevo, Mexico.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an extraordinary occurrence" to add emphasis to events that deviate significantly from the norm. This phrase signals that something is particularly noteworthy or unusual.

Common error

Avoid using "an extraordinary occurrence" to describe ordinary events. Save it for truly exceptional situations to maintain its impact and avoid diluting its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extraordinary occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, where "extraordinary" modifies "occurrence." Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct and usable expression, marking events as remarkable and unusual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

26%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an extraordinary occurrence" is a valid and useful phrase for denoting events that are remarkable and unusual. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and diverse range of examples indicate broad applicability. While commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, it’s crucial to reserve this phrase for genuinely exceptional situations to prevent diminishing its impact. Related phrases, such as ""a remarkable event"" or ""an unusual happening"", offer similar ways to express the uniqueness of an event. Remember to avoid overuse in mundane contexts to maintain the phrase's emphasis and significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable event

Focuses on the noteworthiness of the event, emphasizing its impact or significance.

an exceptional incident

Highlights the deviation from the norm, suggesting the incident is out of the ordinary.

an unusual happening

Emphasizes the infrequency or unexpected nature of the event.

a singular event

Stresses the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the occurrence.

an unprecedented situation

Highlights the lack of prior examples, emphasizing its novelty.

a noteworthy phenomenon

Draws attention to the importance or interest of the event, often in a scientific or academic context.

a rare instance

Emphasizes the scarcity or uncommon nature of the event.

a surprising development

Highlights the unexpected nature of the event, often implying a sense of astonishment.

an atypical case

Focuses on the deviation from the standard or typical pattern.

an uncommon event

Underscores the rarity and infrequency of the happening.

FAQs

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

You can use "an extraordinary occurrence" to describe something that is rare or unexpected. For example: "The discovery of the ancient artifact was "an extraordinary occurrence"."

What are some alternatives to "an extraordinary occurrence"?

Some alternatives to "an extraordinary occurrence" include "a remarkable event", "an exceptional incident", or "an unusual happening". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "an extraordinary occurrence"?

Use "an extraordinary occurrence" when you want to highlight the unique or exceptional nature of an event. It's suitable when the event is significantly different from what is typically expected.

Is there a difference between "an extraordinary occurrence" and "an everyday occurrence"?

"An extraordinary occurrence" describes something rare and unusual, while "an everyday occurrence" describes something that happens frequently or is commonplace. They are antonyms.