critical incident

USAGE SUMMARY

"critical incident" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to an event or situation that is of great importance or seriousness, often requiring immediate attention or action. Example: The recent strike by the factory workers was a critical incident for the company, causing major delays in production and significant financial losses.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Critical incident response following crisis events.

University of California, Berkeley

The critical incident technique was the primary research instrument.

Columbia University

Actual self-harm incidents involving minors (under 18) is classified as a critical incident".

The Guardian

When a critical incident happens, a force's ability to respond will be severely compromised.

The Guardian

A critical incident investigation has been launched and the professional standards command will have independent oversight.

The Guardian

C: 18th Judicial Critical Incident Team Shooting of Simon Gonzales Castle Rock PD Case #99-3226.

Columbia University

Critical incident: An isloated event; a single episode of a problem or harm.

Columbia University

Students will learn the Critical Incident Technique for practice-based learning and improvement.

University of California, Berkeley

Consider "critical incident stress debriefing," a group-counseling protocol for people who have witnessed traumatic events.

The Washington Post

The critical incident process compels superiors to face subordinates, a responsibility too many shirk.

Harvard Business Review

Using the critical incident interviewing technique, 65 examples of information usage processes were uncovered.

Information Processing & Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "critical incident" to emphasize the need for a structured response and analysis, especially in fields like healthcare, aviation, and security.

Common error

Avoid using "critical incident" for minor issues. Reserve it for events that genuinely pose a significant threat or require immediate, high-level intervention. Overusing it can dilute its impact and create unnecessary alarm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical incident" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows its use in describing specific events that demand immediate attention and action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

29%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critical incident" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote events of significant importance and urgency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is prevalent in science, news media, and academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability across diverse fields. When using "critical incident", remember to reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant immediate and serious attention, avoiding overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious event

Focuses on the gravity of the situation, omitting the sense of immediacy.

major crisis

Highlights the severity and potential impact, similar to "critical incident".

emergency situation

Emphasizes the urgency and need for immediate action.

significant occurrence

Broadly describes an event of importance, lacking the urgency of "critical incident".

pivotal event

Focuses on the turning point aspect of the incident.

key episode

Highlights a specific event as important within a series of events.

crucial moment

Emphasizes a specific point in time that is vital.

urgent matter

Focuses on the immediate need for attention and action.

pressing issue

Highlights the importance and need to address a particular problem.

vital instance

Highlights the importance of a particular occurrence.

FAQs

How can "critical incident" be used in a sentence?

You can use "critical incident" to describe a significant event requiring immediate attention, such as, "The cybersecurity breach was a "critical incident" that required immediate shutdown of the network".

What are some alternatives to "critical incident"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "serious event", "major crisis", or "emergency situation".

What distinguishes a "critical incident" from a regular incident?

A "critical incident" involves a high degree of threat, urgency, or potential impact, whereas a regular incident might be more routine or less severe. A "critical incident" demands immediate and focused action.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the term "critical incident"?

The term "critical incident" is most appropriate in professional or formal contexts such as healthcare, security, aviation, and emergency services, where precise and impactful language is essential.