an isolated occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an isolated occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happens only once and is not part of a larger pattern or trend. Example: "The sudden drop in temperature was an isolated occurrence, not indicative of a long-term change in climate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

This was not an isolated occurrence.

The New York Times - Science

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated occurrence.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated occurrence.

The New York Times

"This is not an isolated occurrence," Milzman said of the puck incident in Columbus.

The New York Times - Sports

Nor has that particular instance of disrespect for student concerns been an isolated occurrence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The prosecutor, Mr. Romankow, seemed to agree, calling the killing an isolated occurrence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

This isn't a once in a lifetime isolated occurrence, or a Chicago-only event.

Huffington Post

Rather than depicting everyday contemporary people struggling to come to grips with a terrifying if otherwise isolated occurrence, the figures in his painting look like they have stepped out of a Homeric scene from the destruction of Troy.

The New York Times

Recent releases of additional genomes from this important phytopathogenic fungal group reveal that this seemingly isolated occurrence of an AA10 gene in the fungi is not because of contamination but is shared by the related genera Ustilago and Pseudozyma in the Ustilaginomycotina [ 77 83].

Briefings in Functional Genomics

HO has been classified according to the clinical setting, location of HO, and progressive or isolated occurrence [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] into post-traumatic, nontraumatic or neurogenic, and myositis or fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11].

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

When I shared the incident with my friends, the majority of them just told me to brush it off, since it was one, isolated occurrence, and there was no need to dwell on it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an isolated occurrence", ensure the context clearly indicates that the event is not part of a larger pattern or trend. Provide additional information to emphasize its singularity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "an isolated occurrence" has significant implications or signals a future trend. It is crucial to distinguish between a singular event and an indicator of a broader pattern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an isolated occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI's examples show it describing events, incidents, or phenomena that are not part of a larger pattern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

24%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an isolated occurrence" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a singular event not indicative of a larger trend. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While it's essential to recognize it's singularity to avoid misinterpretations or hasty generalizations, you can use similar phrases, such as "a one-time event" or "a singular instance", for variety. Ludwig's analysis shows the phrase has a neutral register, making it suitable for many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a one-time event

This alternative uses simpler language, emphasizing the single instance nature of the event.

a singular instance

This phrase highlights the uniqueness and infrequency of the event.

an exceptional case

This suggests that the event deviates from the norm and is therefore unusual.

a unique incident

This alternative emphasizes the distinct and unrepeatable nature of the occurrence.

an infrequent event

This focuses on the low frequency of the event's happening.

an atypical situation

This emphasizes the deviation from what is considered typical or usual.

a rare phenomenon

This alternative highlights the scarcity and unusual nature of the occurrence.

a solitary episode

This phrase stresses the single and standalone nature of the event.

an uncommon incident

This denotes that the incident is not frequently encountered.

a freak event

This suggests the event is both unusual and unexpected, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

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

You can use "an isolated occurrence" to describe an event that is unique and not part of a pattern. For example, "The error in the system was deemed "an isolated occurrence" and not indicative of a systemic issue."

What phrases are similar to "an isolated occurrence"?

Similar phrases include "a one-time event", "a singular instance", or "an exceptional case". These alternatives convey the idea of something happening uniquely or infrequently.

Is it correct to assume a trend based on "an isolated occurrence"?

No, it is generally incorrect to assume a trend based solely on "an isolated occurrence". A single event does not provide sufficient evidence to establish a pattern or predict future outcomes.

What is the difference between "an isolated occurrence" and a common event?

"An isolated occurrence" refers to something that happens rarely or uniquely, while a common event occurs frequently. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurate analysis and interpretation of events.