an unfortunate occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unfortunate occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that is regrettable or undesirable. Example: "The cancellation of the event was an unfortunate occurrence that disappointed many attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Inspector Kennedy said: "This is an unfortunate occurrence.

The New York Times

This is an unfortunate occurrence both for the employees and their families, as well as for the county.

The New York Times

But her tone was one of casual resignation: it was just one of those things, an unfortunate occurrence to be met with a weary shrug.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Ward did say that she had received much support from other golfers for the honesty of docking herself a stroke for an unfortunate occurrence that no one else had noticed.

The New York Times - Sports

— Macy Halford *Marc Alan Di Martino It is perhaps an unfortunate occurrence of synesthesia that when I taste perfectly spicy lamb with tzatziki and pita I hear the sound of bookstores going out of business.

The New Yorker

By Macy Halford August 12, 2008 It is perhaps an unfortunate occurrence of synesthesia that when I taste perfectly spicy lamb with tzatziki and pita I hear the sound of bookstores going out of business.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Mr Kramer went on to say: "This is a very rare and unfortunate occurrence.

Independent

Leto described this paradox as a rather common but unfortunate occurrence.

Wikipedia

Audiences sometimes experience the unfortunate occurrence of an actor not quite knowing the lines – but there are also rarer, and stranger, cases in which theatregoers know exactly what the actors will say next.

The Guardian

The unfortunate occurrence of a total lunar eclipse 2 h after the main shock, together with the breakdown of the Tabas power station, severely affected the rescue operations performed by the survivors (Ambraseys and Melville 1982; Berberian 2014).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

We have taken action which - based upon the full cooperation of the European Patent Office - will, I believe, bring about a speedy resolution of this unfortunate occurrence.

EU Parlament

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unfortunate occurrence" when you want to describe an event or situation that is regrettable but not necessarily catastrophic. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "an unfortunate occurrence" in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "a bad thing" or "a shame" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unfortunate occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and labels a specific event or instance that is considered undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unfortunate occurrence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a regrettable event or situation. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral to formal tone. While versatile, remember to use it judiciously, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Being aware of its common use in formal contexts helps to prevent overuse in everyday conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a regrettable incident

Replaces "occurrence" with "incident", implying a more specific and contained event.

an unlucky event

Substitutes "unfortunate" with "unlucky", suggesting chance or fate played a role.

an unwelcome event

Focuses on the fact that the event was not desired or anticipated.

an undesirable situation

Replaces "occurrence" with "situation", focusing on the state of affairs rather than a specific event.

a painful incident

Highlights the emotional distress caused by the event.

a lamentable development

Uses more formal vocabulary, implying a sense of sorrow or regret over the unfolding of events.

a distressing situation

Indicates that the situation causes anxiety and worry.

a disastrous episode

Emphasizes the severity and negative impact of the event.

an adverse development

Suggests that the development is unfavorable or harmful.

a troublesome matter

Implies that the occurrence is causing problems or difficulties.

FAQs

What does "an unfortunate occurrence" mean?

The phrase "an unfortunate occurrence" refers to an event or situation that is regrettable, undesirable, or causes disappointment.

What can I say instead of "an unfortunate occurrence"?

You can use alternatives such as "a regrettable incident", "an unlucky event", or "an undesirable situation", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an unfortunate occurrence" in formal writing?

Yes, "an unfortunate occurrence" is suitable for formal writing and speech, particularly when describing events in a neutral and objective manner.

How does "an unfortunate occurrence" differ from "an unfortunate situation"?

While both phrases express regret about something, "an unfortunate occurrence" emphasizes a specific event, while "an unfortunate situation" focuses on the overall state of affairs.