an uncommon occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an uncommon occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that does not happen frequently. Example: "Finding a four-leaf clover is considered an uncommon occurrence in nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An ectopic, so-called wandering spleen is an uncommon occurrence.

Duke University

This is not an uncommon occurrence.

The New York Times - Sports

Iris prolapse is not an uncommon occurrence during cataract surgery.

Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery

You would think that, by now, this would not be an uncommon occurrence.

The Guardian - Music

"It's not an uncommon occurrence; it's part of the culture of some facilities".

The New York Times - Magazine

"That is not an uncommon occurrence for someone who has spent the last decade working in the intelligence world".

The Guardian

What many think of as an uncommon occurrence is, in fact, the opposite.

Independent

It's not an uncommon occurrence in people's lives when marriages are failing, and this is how we worked it out,' " Mr. Silver said.

The New York Times

I can't say we never have a book that doesn't come back, but it's an uncommon occurrence".

The New York Times

In a pediatric setting, the incomplete filling of heparinized syringes is not an uncommon occurrence and has led to reports of falsely low hyponatremia in our institution.

Clinical Biochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The current market slide also has lacked many interim rallies--an uncommon occurrence, Stack said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an uncommon occurrence" to underscore the rarity or infrequency of an event, especially when contrasting it with more typical situations. For instance, in a scientific context, you might state, "While side effects are possible, severe allergic reactions are an uncommon occurrence."

Common error

Avoid using "an uncommon occurrence" when describing something that is merely undesirable but not statistically rare. For example, saying "Delays are an uncommon occurrence in our company" might be misleading if delays happen relatively often, even if they are not wanted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an uncommon occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies and characterizes an event, situation, or phenomenon as being infrequent or rare, consistent with Ludwig's findings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an uncommon occurrence" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe events or situations that are infrequent or atypical. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent usage across various domains, including news media, science, and academia. While similar phrases like "a rare event" or "an unusual event" exist, each carries slightly different connotations related to rarity and deviation from the norm. When using this phrase, ensure that the event is truly uncommon to avoid overstatement. This analysis provides practical guidance and helps clarify appropriate usage of the phrase in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rare event

Emphasizes the infrequency and exceptional nature of the event.

an unusual event

Highlights the deviation from the norm or expected pattern.

an infrequent happening

Focuses on the lack of regularity or frequency in the occurrence.

an atypical incident

Suggests that the incident is not representative of typical cases.

a singular instance

Indicates a unique and isolated case with no direct parallels.

a freak event

Emphasizes randomness and unexpected nature of the occurrence, often implying surprise or shock.

an exceptional circumstance

Focuses on how the event is out of the ordinary and significant.

a deviation from the norm

Highlights the contrast between the event and usual expectations.

a one-off situation

Implies the event is unlikely to be repeated or occur again.

an isolated case

Suggests the event is not part of a larger pattern or trend, standing alone.

FAQs

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

You can use "an uncommon occurrence" to describe something that happens rarely or is not typical. For example: "Finding a perfectly preserved fossil is "an uncommon occurrence" in paleontology."

What phrases can I use instead of "an uncommon occurrence"?

Alternatives to "an uncommon occurrence" include "a rare event", "an unusual event", or "an infrequent happening", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "uncommon occurrence" or "rare occurrence"?

Both "uncommon occurrence" and "rare occurrence" are correct, but "rare occurrence" emphasizes the scarcity of the event more strongly than "uncommon occurrence".

What makes something considered "an uncommon occurrence"?

Something is considered "an uncommon occurrence" if it deviates significantly from what is normally expected or observed, happening only a few times relative to other possibilities.