an uncommon event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an uncommon event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an occurrence that is rare or not frequently seen. Example: "The sudden snowfall in April was truly an uncommon event for our region."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dollar Shave Club may be an uncommon event.

The New York Times

"Mixing the media with alcohol is not banned, but should be an uncommon event.

The Guardian

This is not an uncommon event, approximately 1,000 new entries are included each year.

The Guardian - Opinion

It says "alcohol is a fraught issue" and while "alcohol is not banned" it should be "an uncommon event".

The Guardian

The Leveson report echoed Filkin's conclusion that "mixing the media with alcohol is not banned but should be an uncommon event".

The Guardian

"This is an uncommon event and a very real danger," said Jim Calloway, a senior engineer with the Texas Public Utilities Commission.

The New York Times

Conclusions: In-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation was shown to be an uncommon event in children; the survival rate was similar to earlier studies.

Resuscitation

While the U.S. extradition request for Meng was seen as an uncommon event, the U.S. has gone after influential foreign executives in the past in high-profile cases.

The Washington Post

In the opening weeks of her campaign, she compared Mr. Fujimori to a father deserting his family -- not an uncommon event in Peruvian society -- leaving the suggestion that she was the woman who would now take over family responsibilities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Seijas et al. [ 14] reported 2 cases of atraumatic non-resurfaced patella fracture following a primary TKA in 2009 highlighting that this was an extremely uncommon event.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sulak has himself been charged with lèse-majesté no fewer than three times and has even had to flee the country before out of fear for his life, a not uncommon event in the aftermath of such a charge.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an uncommon event", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the common or expected occurrence is, to highlight the contrast.

Common error

Avoid using "an uncommon event" when describing something that is merely undesirable but not statistically rare. Reserve it for situations that genuinely deviate from typical expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an uncommon event" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used to describe happenings that are not typical or frequent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an uncommon event" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe occurrences that are infrequent or rare. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly employed across diverse fields, notably in science, news, and academia. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, and understanding its function can help writers effectively convey the exceptional nature of specific happenings. While "a rare occurrence" and "an unusual incident" serve as alternatives, the choice often depends on the specific nuance desired. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for events that genuinely deviate from typical expectations, avoiding its use for mere undesirable situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rare occurrence

This alternative uses 'rare' instead of 'uncommon' to emphasize infrequency.

an infrequent happening

This alternative replaces 'event' with 'happening' and 'uncommon' with 'infrequent', both suggesting something that doesn't occur often.

an unusual incident

This alternative substitutes 'uncommon' with 'unusual' and 'event' with 'incident', highlighting the atypical nature of the occurrence.

a seldom seen occurrence

This phrase uses 'seldom seen' to express the rarity of the event.

an exceptional case

This suggests that the event is an exception to the norm.

an anomaly

This single-word alternative implies a deviation from the regular pattern.

a rarity

This concise alternative emphasizes the scarcity of the event.

an atypical instance

This alternative uses 'atypical' instead of 'uncommon', highlighting the non-standard nature.

a freak event

Suggests an unexpected and highly unusual happening, often with negative connotations.

a one-off

This informal expression means something that only happens once.

FAQs

How can I use "an uncommon event" in a sentence?

You can use "an uncommon event" to describe something that doesn't happen often, such as "The lunar eclipse was "an uncommon event" this year".

What are some alternatives to "an uncommon event"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a rare occurrence", "an unusual incident", or "an infrequent happening".

Is it better to say "an uncommon event" or "a rare event"?

Both "an uncommon event" and "a rare event" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "an uncommon event" and "an unusual event"?

While similar, "an uncommon event" suggests something that simply doesn't happen frequently, while "an unusual event" implies something is out of the ordinary or unexpected in nature.