an infrequent occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an infrequent occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that does not happen often. Example: "The heavy snowfall in April was an infrequent occurrence in this region."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

There are 65 beds and, today, only 57 patients -- an infrequent occurrence.

The New York Times

"Such a questionnaire is not an infrequent occurrence," Mr. Pouncey said.

The New York Times - Tech

While a "directed donation" to a certain individual after death is possible, it's an infrequent occurrence, with approximately a hundred such donations each year.

The New Yorker

Sailors aboard the Mississippi said their dolphin honor guard was not an infrequent occurrence, as the dolphins can be fascinated by what they perhaps perceive as an impossibly large cousin.

The Guardian

From my bicycle in New Jersey, if I am passing a golf-links batture, my head is turned that way and my gaze runs through the woods until a white dot stops it, which is not an infrequent occurrence.

The New Yorker

When the banalities of the book got too much for me — not an infrequent occurrence, alas — I kept tuning back into the excellent music making.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The switch in materials came at some aesthetic cost: the carbon-fibre wings would have withstood winds of up to forty miles an hour, while the steel wings retract automatically when gusts reach twenty-four miles an hour, a not infrequent occurrence on the banks of Lake Michigan.

The New Yorker

Hail becomes an increasingly infrequent occurrence when the freezing level within the atmosphere exceeds 11000 feet above ground level.

Wikipedia

Re-examination of our basic data, i.e. the hybridized metaphases, revealed an overall infrequent occurrence of extremely long telomeres of single chromosome arms.

Aging

— The Kansas football program had something called Aqib Rules, and they were simple: when Aqib Talib, their highly regarded cornerback, did something stupid — a not infrequent occurrence early on in an all-American career — his teammates could put a free body shot on him.

The New York Times - Sports

The core finding from this study of seriously ill community based schizophrenic patients is the predominance (70%) of off-label medication administration with the use of antipsychotic as a sole medication class (per FDA label) a relatively infrequent occurrence (25.5%).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an infrequent occurrence" to emphasize the unexpected or unusual nature of an event, often to highlight its significance or impact. For example, "The sighting of the rare bird was an infrequent occurrence, drawing birdwatchers from across the region."

Common error

Avoid using "an infrequent occurrence" when describing something that is merely uncommon or slightly less frequent than usual. This phrase is best reserved for situations that are genuinely rare or exceptional to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an infrequent occurrence" functions as a noun phrase that describes a situation, event, or phenomenon. Ludwig AI supports this by showcasing examples from diverse sources where the phrase clearly identifies something that does not happen often. Ludwig AI also confirms that it follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an infrequent occurrence" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that doesn't happen often. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous real-world examples, largely sourced from science, news, and media contexts. While suitable for formal writing, it's essential to reserve this phrase for truly rare or exceptional events, as it risks losing its impact if overused. Consider related alternatives like "a rare instance" or "an uncommon event" to further refine your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rare instance

Emphasizes the rareness or scarcity of the event.

an uncommon event

Highlights the unusual nature of the event.

a seldom seen phenomenon

Focuses on the infrequency of observing the phenomenon.

a rare sight

Emphasizes the visual aspect and rarity of the observation.

an isolated incident

Stresses that the event is not part of a pattern and stands alone.

an atypical case

Highlights the departure from the norm or typical situation.

an exceptional circumstance

Indicates the situation is unusual and stands out from ordinary circumstances.

a once in a blue moon event

Uses an idiom to express extreme rarity.

a freak happening

Implies the event is both rare and unexpected, perhaps even bizarre.

a highly unusual situation

Emphasizes the departure from what is normal or expected.

FAQs

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

Use "an infrequent occurrence" to describe something that doesn't happen often. For example, "Snow in July is "an infrequent occurrence" in this region."

What are some alternatives to "an infrequent occurrence"?

Alternatives include "a rare instance", "an uncommon event", or "a seldom seen phenomenon", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "an infrequent occurrence" or "a rare occurrence"?

Both phrases are similar, but "an infrequent occurrence" might suggest something that happens occasionally but not regularly, while "a rare occurrence" implies something that almost never happens. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Can I use "an infrequent occurrence" in formal writing?

Yes, "an infrequent occurrence" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe something that doesn't happen often, as shown by its use in reputable sources like The New York Times and scientific journals.