fateful incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fateful incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event that happened unexpectedly and had a profound and irreversible impact on someone's life or future. For example: The fateful incident that occurred when he was a child left him emotionally scarred for the rest of his life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I called my friend from residency this week, and she laughed when I brought up her fateful incident report.

The New York Times - Health

There is even a fateful incident with a car, though in Mr Wolfe's latest novel it involves a misparking not a misturning.The social x-rays do not make a reappearance, but the gold-digging second wives do.

The Economist

While the fateful incident 20 years ago that binds William and Lucy is written in such spare, agonising detail, I doubt I could read it again (ditto the terrible balloon accident in Ian McEwan's Enduring Love).

Independent

It has been a long road for Uzbekistan's finest player, who spent three months in hospital and did not touch a racket again for a further two years after that fateful incident in 2001.

The Guardian - Sport

It is with some matter of pride that I can say "I was there" at that fateful incident in 2004 when Selfish Cunt's Martin Tomlinson picked up handfuls of horse poo outside Buckingham Palace and started hurling it at his fellow musicians, who had innocently gathered there for an NME photoshoot.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It seems to have spilled over from a chimpanzee host, probably through blood-to-blood contact, during a fateful hunting incident in southeastern Cameroon.

The New York Times

This first novel by a former New Yorker correspondent in Israel seeks to explore the conflict there by pursuing the consequences of a fateful, unintended incident at a highway checkpoint and the lives of the Palestinian mother and the Israeli soldier involved.

The New York Times - Books

HBO's own movie doesn't serve up what may've happened on that fateful night like Phil Spector Incident - photo courtesy HBO.

Huffington Post

A young man dies in a nocturnal boating incident, and a fateful pact is subsequently made between the two friends who were with him.

Independent

"Here we are trying to empower these young girls to be entrepreneurs, and this woman shuts them down". A few days later, West made what would be a fateful decision: She sent an e-mail chronicling the incident to the Claremont Insider, a popular blog in town known for gossipy items and sharp jabs at local politicians.

Los Angeles Times

It turned out that the fateful collision between the insulation foam and the Shuttle had been noticed, but such incidents had occurred before without any cause for concern.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fateful incident", ensure the context clearly establishes the significant and often negative consequences of the event. This adds weight and importance to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "fateful incident" to describe trivial events. The phrase implies a significant and often life-altering impact, so reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant such a description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fateful incident" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "fateful" modifies the noun "incident". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fateful incident" is a valid and usable expression to describe a significant event with profound, often negative consequences. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, though its frequency is uncommon. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure the gravity of the situation matches the weight of the words. Alternatives such as "pivotal event" or "significant episode" can be used for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pivotal event

Emphasizes the turning point or critical nature of the event.

critical occurrence

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of the event.

significant episode

Focuses on the noteworthiness and impact of the event.

momentous event

Stresses the historical importance or long-lasting effects of the event.

unfortunate event

Highlights the negative or undesirable nature of the incident.

decisive event

Underscores the event's role in determining a future outcome.

transformative occurrence

Highlights the event's ability to cause significant change.

ill-fated event

Emphasizes a sense of doom or misfortune associated with the event.

tragic episode

Highlights the sorrowful and lamentable aspect of the incident.

consequential happening

Stresses the resulting impact or effects of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "fateful incident" to describe a significant event with negative consequences, such as "The "fateful incident" at the factory led to stricter safety regulations".

What are some alternatives to "fateful incident"?

Alternatives include "pivotal event", "critical occurrence", or "significant episode", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fateful incident" the same as "unfortunate event"?

While both describe negative events, "fateful incident" implies a greater degree of significance and long-term impact compared to a general "unfortunate event".

When is it appropriate to use "fateful incident" in writing?

Use "fateful incident" when the event has had a profound and often irreversible effect on someone's life, a situation, or a course of events. Avoid using it for minor or inconsequential happenings.