an unusual occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unusual occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that is not typical or expected. Example: "The sudden snowfall in April was truly an unusual occurrence for our region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was not an unusual occurrence, she said.

The New York Times

"It's not an unusual occurrence that makes them special".

The New York Times

Berbatov said it was not an unusual occurrence.

Independent

In other words, streaks of 56 games or longer are not at all an unusual occurrence.

The New York Times

"Its an unusual occurrence for Alaskan peaks," said Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, a geophysicist at the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

The New York Times

The lawyer wrote a 127-page brief that secured Mr. Lake's parole on the first effort, an unusual occurrence.

The New York Times

And they conclude that "streaks of 56 games or longer are not at all an unusual occurrence".

The New York Times

The voters also gave a trio of actors — Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock and Matt Damon — double nominations, an unusual occurrence.

The New York Times

A morgue worker laughed when he was asked if the bodies brought in that morning were an unusual occurrence.

The New Yorker

It had never occurred to me that a woman dining solo in Paris is an unusual occurrence.

The Guardian

Ava DuVernay, the director of the civil rights drama Selma, called it "an unusual occurrence worth noting".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "an unusual occurrence", consider adding context to explain why the event is unusual to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "an unusual occurrence" might sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "rare" or "uncommon" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unusual occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It identifies or describes something that is not commonly observed or experienced, often drawing attention to its rarity or unexpectedness, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unusual occurrence" is a versatile phrase employed to denote events or situations that deviate from the norm. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability, predominantly in news, media, and science contexts. While a formal alternative exists, its application in casual settings should be approached with caution. Remember, its strength lies in objectively highlighting the atypical nature of an event, adding context to elevate its impact and avoiding overly formal language in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rare phenomenon

This alternative emphasizes the infrequency and remarkable nature of the event.

an uncommon event

This option focuses on the lack of commonality or frequency.

an exceptional instance

This phrase stresses the deviation from the norm and the outstanding character of the event.

an infrequent happening

This alternative highlights the low frequency with which the event occurs.

a departure from the norm

This phrase directly points out the deviation from what is considered standard or typical.

an anomaly

This is a concise term for something that deviates from the general rule or expected outcome.

an atypical situation

This highlights that the situation does not conform to the usual type or pattern.

a singular event

This phrase emphasizes the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the occurrence.

an extraordinary circumstance

This emphasizes the exceptional and remarkable nature of the situation.

a freak incident

This suggests a highly improbable and unexpected event, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

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

"An unusual occurrence" is used to describe something that is not typical or expected. For example: "The double nomination was "an unusual occurrence"."

What are some synonyms for "an unusual occurrence"?

Alternatives include "a rare phenomenon", "an uncommon event", or "a departure from the norm" depending on the specific context.

Is "an unusual occurrence" formal or informal?

"An unusual occurrence" leans toward the formal side. In more casual settings, phrases like "something rare" or "not typical" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "an unusual occurrence" and "a strange event"?

"An unusual occurrence" focuses on the infrequency or unexpectedness of something. "A strange event" emphasizes the odd or peculiar nature of the happening. While there can be overlap, "an unusual occurrence" doesn't necessarily imply something is bizarre or odd, just not typical.