an isolated incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an isolated incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific event that is not part of a larger pattern or trend. Example: "The police confirmed that the robbery was an isolated incident and not part of a series of crimes in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is an isolated incident".

The New York Times

It's not an isolated incident.

The Economist

"It is an isolated incident".

The New York Times

That wasn't an isolated incident.

University of California, Berkeley

Apparently this is not an isolated incident.

Independent

It was not an isolated incident.

The New York Times

Therefore this is not an isolated incident.

Independent

That law is not an isolated incident.

The New York Times

Nor was it an isolated incident.

The New York Times

Police said it was an isolated incident.

Independent

This was not an isolated incident.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an isolated incident" to reassure an audience that a negative event is unlikely to be repeated or indicative of a larger problem. This is especially useful in crisis communication or public relations.

Common error

Avoid using "an isolated incident" when there's evidence suggesting a pattern or recurring issue. Misrepresenting a situation as isolated can damage credibility and trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an isolated incident" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It helps to categorize and describe a particular event as not being part of a wider pattern. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an isolated incident" is a common expression used to describe an event that is not indicative of a larger pattern or trend. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase serves to reassure or downplay the significance of an event by emphasizing its singularity. While useful in various situations, it's crucial to avoid misrepresenting situations as "isolated" when evidence suggests otherwise, as this can damage trust and credibility. Alternative phrases like "a one-off event" or "a singular occurrence" can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an isolated case

Simplified version, replacing "incident" with "case", maintaining the core meaning.

a one-off event

Replaces "incident" with "event" and uses the term "one-off" to emphasize its singular nature.

a singular occurrence

Replaces "isolated incident" with a more formal term "singular occurrence" emphasizing its uniqueness.

an exceptional case

Highlights the event as being outside the norm or usual pattern.

an anomaly

Uses a more technical term to indicate a deviation from the expected.

a freak event

Emphasizes the unusual and unexpected nature of the incident.

a rare exception

Presents the incident as a deviation from a general rule or pattern.

an unusual occurrence

Similar to "singular occurrence" but with a slightly less formal tone.

a solitary instance

Focuses on the fact that it happened only once and is not repetitive.

a non-recurring event

Stresses that the event is not expected to happen again.

FAQs

How can I use "an isolated incident" in a sentence?

You can use "an isolated incident" to describe a situation that is not part of a larger pattern. For example, "The company stated that the data breach was "an isolated incident" and not indicative of systemic vulnerabilities".

What are some alternatives to "an isolated incident"?

Alternatives include "a one-off event", "a singular occurrence", or "an exceptional case". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it inappropriate to describe something as "an isolated incident"?

It's inappropriate when there is evidence of similar events or a clear pattern. Using the phrase in such cases can be misleading or dismissive.

What's the difference between "an isolated incident" and "a trend"?

"An isolated incident" refers to a single, unconnected event, while "a trend" indicates a pattern or series of related events happening over time. They represent opposing concepts.