awful incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awful incident" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to an unpleasant, shocking, or tragic event. For example: The family was deeply saddened by the awful incident that had occurred.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It's an awful incident that happened and nobody should have been put through what Mr Iqbal was put through on that night.

Independent

None of that is likely to disappear just because a jury has spoken, and far from the scene where this awful incident unfolded.

The New York Times

Later, she said: "He started spreading false allegations of drug use, in particular the awful incident at Scott's, and I felt his way of getting things out was to use this case".

The Guardian

On the other hand, he worried that the senator would launch an outrageous attack on, say, the Chinese, who would then respond in kind, precipitating some kind of awful incident.

The New York Times - Magazine

But some do not discount the effects of an awful incident from a year ago that put Sedona's New Age community in a bad light and that, to some degree, still lingers, despite efforts by metaphysical people to cast it away.

The New York Times

There is also continuing word of the assault on children in Syria, and, in an awful incident this week in Toulouse, France, three Jewish children were shot dead, along with the father of two of them, and, in two separate incidents, three soldiers, one with a girlfriend who is expecting a baby.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Today's announcement is all about rebuilding the airline after these two awful incidents.

The Guardian - Business

INDONESIANS are reeling from one of their country's most awful incidents of religious violence in years.

The Economist

"A few weeks ago the regularity with which these awful incidents were happening was quite surreal," he says.

The Guardian - Music

The awful incidents of recent months – such as the Malaysia Airlines diasters and the Germanwings crash – may also mean that airlines quibble at their peril with disgruntled consumers.

Independent

Awful incidents cropped up seemingly weekly throughout Europe last season, with the ugliness including racist chants in the stands, bigoted signs waved by spectators and bananas thrown at black players.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "awful incident", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific event to avoid ambiguity. Providing details or references to the incident will enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "awful incident" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant negative consequences, distress, or harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awful incident" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "awful" modifies the noun "incident". It describes the nature of the incident as something extremely unpleasant or regrettable. As seen in the Ludwig AI examples, it's used to characterize events causing distress or concern.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awful incident" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a negative or tragic event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives such as "terrible event" or "horrific occurrence" exist, "awful incident" provides a balanced tone. When using this phrase, ensure the specific event is clear to avoid ambiguity and that it is not used to describe minor situations. This phrase is a strong way of expressing concern or condemnation about what happened.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible event

Replaces "awful" with "terrible" and "incident" with "event", maintaining the negative connotation.

horrific occurrence

Substitutes "awful" with "horrific" and "incident" with "occurrence", emphasizing the shocking nature.

dreadful episode

Uses "dreadful" instead of "awful" and "episode" in place of "incident", highlighting the unpleasantness.

tragic affair

Replaces "awful" with "tragic" and "incident" with "affair", focusing on the sorrowful aspect.

unfortunate situation

Substitutes "awful" with "unfortunate" and "incident" with "situation", downplaying the severity slightly.

deplorable event

Uses "deplorable" to replace "awful" indicating strong disapproval of the event.

grievous happening

Replaces "awful" with "grievous" and "incident" with "happening", emphasizing the seriousness.

calamitous occurrence

Substitutes "awful" with "calamitous", conveying a sense of disaster and misfortune.

regrettable circumstance

Uses "regrettable" instead of "awful" and "circumstance" in place of "incident", focusing on the feeling of remorse.

distressing situation

Replaces "awful" with "distressing", emphasizing the emotional impact of the event.

FAQs

What does "awful incident" mean?

The phrase "awful incident" refers to an event or occurrence that is extremely unpleasant, shocking, or tragic. It typically implies significant negative consequences or distress.

How can I use "awful incident" in a sentence?

You can use "awful incident" to describe a range of negative events. For example: "The community was shaken by the "awful incident" at the local school." or "The "awful incident" led to significant policy changes."

What can I say instead of "awful incident"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible event", "horrific occurrence", or "tragic affair" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "awful incident" in formal writing?

Yes, "awful incident" can be used in formal writing, particularly in news reports, academic papers, or professional communications where describing a negative event is necessary. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall objective.