extraordinary circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extraordinary circumstance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is unusual or exceptional, often justifying a deviation from the norm or standard procedure. Example: "Due to the extraordinary circumstance of the natural disaster, we have decided to extend the deadline for all submissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Legal

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"This is an extraordinary circumstance".

The New York Times

4 THE AFTERMATH Ordinary people's actions in an extraordinary circumstance.

The New York Times

Perhaps an "extraordinary circumstance" for Mr. Holder wouldn't seem so extraordinary to another person.

The New York Times

"This was an extraordinary circumstance, ladies and gentlemen, it needed extraordinary measures to control," he said.

The New York Times

Such an extraordinary circumstance could not be allowed to go to waste.

The New Yorker

Across the vast region hit by Hurricane Sandy, dozens of houses of worship are dealing with an extraordinary circumstance.

The New York Times

A situation in which a mother permits a father-child relationship to flourish for years would constitute an extraordinary circumstance.

The New York Times

We don't see how the airline can argue "extraordinary circumstance" for an event that happened so long ago.

The Guardian - Money

Technical faults were routinely classed as an "extraordinary circumstance" because this absolved airlines from paying compensation under the EU regulations.

The Guardian - Money

"This is an extraordinary circumstance — where we've been in a lockout, we've had a week to two weeks together, and he's been a part of none of that.

The New York Times - Sports

"Even though it was an extraordinary circumstance, we had to figure out how to overcome the no-refund policy," Wittenberg said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extraordinary circumstance", ensure the context clearly establishes the situation as genuinely exceptional and outside the norm. This helps justify any deviation from standard procedures or expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "extraordinary circumstance" to describe routine or slightly unusual events. Overusing it dilutes its impact and diminishes its significance when genuinely exceptional situations arise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extraordinary circumstance" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement, object of a preposition, or direct object within a sentence. It modifies the meaning of the noun, highlighting the unusual or exceptional nature of the situation. Ludwig provides examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extraordinary circumstance" is a commonly used noun phrase used to describe situations that deviate significantly from the norm. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, business, and legal contexts. When using "extraordinary circumstance", ensure it accurately reflects the exceptional nature of the situation to maintain clarity and impact. Related phrases like "exceptional situation" and "unusual event" can serve as alternatives, depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptional situation

Replaces "circumstance" with "situation", keeping the adjective "exceptional" as a synonym for "extraordinary".

exceptional case

Highlights the case as being out of the ordinary.

atypical situation

Highlights that the situation deviates from the norm.

remarkable situation

Focuses on the noteworthy aspect of the circumstance.

uncommon event

Similar to "unusual event" but emphasizes rarity.

unusual event

Substitutes both "extraordinary" and "circumstance" with near synonyms, creating a slightly less formal tone.

unforeseen situation

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event.

peculiar situation

Uses "peculiar" to highlight the odd or strange nature of the situation.

unique case

Frames the situation as a one-of-a-kind instance.

singular occurrence

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the event or circumstance.

FAQs

How can I use "extraordinary circumstance" in a sentence?

You can use "extraordinary circumstance" to describe situations that are unusual or exceptional. For example: "Due to the "extraordinary circumstance" of the pandemic, the deadline was extended."

What are some alternatives to "extraordinary circumstance"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exceptional situation", "unusual event", or "special case", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "extraordinary circumstance"?

It's appropriate when describing a situation that is genuinely exceptional and warrants a deviation from the normal course of action. Avoid using it for everyday occurrences or minor inconveniences.

What distinguishes "extraordinary circumstance" from "special circumstance"?

"Extraordinary circumstance" typically implies a more significant deviation from the norm, often involving urgency or crisis, whereas "special circumstance" might refer to a situation that requires individual attention or accommodation but isn't necessarily a crisis.