anomalous events

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anomalous events" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe occurrences that deviate from the norm or expected behavior, often in scientific or analytical contexts. Example: "The researchers were puzzled by the anomalous events recorded during the experiment, which did not align with their predictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The intelligence analysts search for terrorist cells by looking at "anomalous events" — someone searching in German from Pakistani sites, or an Iranian sending an encrypted Microsoft Word file.

The New York Times

Their story is a classic case of what Hegel called "the cunning of reason": the way apparently random or anomalous events later turn out to be pieces in a larger historical design.

The New Yorker

These anomalous events are considered to be caused by the dynamic deformation of the accretionary prism (Ito and Obara, 2006a).

Earth, Planets and Space

In essence, this detection scheme is a distributed detection mechanism capable of detecting the anomalous events as early as possible.

Journal of Big Data

Machine-learning algorithms identify anomalous events (such as the rash of timeouts from mobile devices that represent a statistical outlier compared to historical patterns) and surface them to the attention of IT staff.

TechCrunch

An unexpected category of events is evidenced which could explain the anomalous events observed by the UKDMC and Saclay NaI WIMP detection experiments.

Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The filmmaker tracked down as many survivors as would talk about this anomalous event in the war's last months.

The New York Times - Arts

"This is such an anomalous event, it's just impossible to know how it's going to affect business books any more than anyone knows how it's going to affect the economy at large," he said.

The New York Times

But for many people here, what seemed most important today was not the scientific data, or engineering jargon, or calls for calm from public officials that invariably accompany any anomalous event at a nuclear power plant.

The New York Times

In a 2008 slide presentation about its Xkeyscore surveillance program, the agency described "using encryption" as an "anomalous event" — cause for further scrutiny — on par with "searching the web for suspicious stuff".

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, in anthologies like "How Did This Happen?," edited by James F. Hoge Jr. and Gideon Rose, and "The Age of Terror," edited by Strobe Talbott and Nayan Chanda, scholars have begun to try to situate this seemingly anomalous event in a historical and political context, attempting to make the enormity of what happened that day somehow understandable.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing unexpected results or observations in scientific reports, use "anomalous events" to maintain a formal and objective tone.

Common error

Avoid using "anomalous events" in everyday conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler terms like "unusual occurrences" or "strange things" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anomalous events" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "anomalous" modifies the noun "events". It is used to describe occurrences that deviate from the norm or expected pattern. Ludwig confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anomalous events" is a phrase used to describe unusual or unexpected occurrences, frequently encountered in scientific and analytical contexts. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various writing styles, while advising against its overuse in informal settings. Alternative phrases include "unusual incidents" and "irregular occurrences", which may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. This phrase is most commonly found in science and news media, reflecting its role in describing and analyzing deviations from the norm. Remember to maintain an objective and formal tone when employing "anomalous events" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unusual incidents

Replaces "anomalous" with "unusual" and "events" with "incidents", maintaining the core meaning of irregular occurrences.

Irregular occurrences

Substitutes "anomalous" with "irregular" and "events" with "occurrences", highlighting the deviation from the norm.

Abnormal happenings

Uses "abnormal" instead of "anomalous" and "happenings" instead of "events", emphasizing the unexpected nature of the occurrences.

Deviant incidents

Replaces "anomalous" with "deviant", focusing on the departure from the standard or accepted behavior or norm.

Atypical episodes

Substitutes "anomalous" with "atypical" and "events" with "episodes", denoting occurrences that are not representative of the usual pattern.

Exceptional cases

Uses "exceptional" instead of "anomalous" and "cases" instead of "events", emphasizing the rarity and distinctiveness of the occurrences.

Unforeseen circumstances

Focuses on the unexpected aspect of the events, highlighting their unpredictable nature.

Aberrant situations

Replaces "anomalous" with "aberrant", emphasizing the deviation from the normal or expected path or state.

Extraordinary affairs

Highlights the remarkable and unusual quality of the events, emphasizing their divergence from the ordinary.

Uncommon phenomena

Uses "uncommon" instead of "anomalous" and "phenomena" instead of "events", underscoring the rarity and infrequency of the occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "anomalous events" in a sentence?

You can use "anomalous events" to describe unusual or unexpected occurrences, especially in scientific or analytical contexts. For example, "The study focused on understanding the causes of the "anomalous events" recorded during the experiment".

What's the difference between "anomalous events" and "unusual occurrences"?

"Anomalous events" is more formal and often used in technical or scientific writing. "Unusual occurrences" is a more general term suitable for everyday language.

What are some synonyms for "anomalous events"?

Synonyms for "anomalous events" include "irregular incidents", "abnormal happenings", and "atypical episodes". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to use "anomalous events" in a news report?

Yes, it is appropriate to use "anomalous events" in a news report, especially when describing unusual or unexplained incidents that are of scientific or analytical interest. However, it's essential to ensure that the term is accessible to the general audience or provide a clear explanation.