if such a thing occurs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if such a thing occurs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a conditional situation or hypothetical scenario where something may happen. Example: "We will need to develop a contingency plan if such a thing occurs during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

(Clothes should be immersed if such a thing occurs).

Huffington Post

A loader bucket can suddenly come crashing down on you if such a thing occurs.

WikiHow

Cats sometimes get bits of carpet tangled in their claws, and can get very agitated if such a thing occurs.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Davis said, "One would think that if such a thing occurred — which it most certainly did not — there'd have to be a reason".

The New Yorker

If such a thing occurred, the emperor would be understood to have lost the "Mandate of Heaven". When a new dynasty was established, it was believed that the Mandate of Heaven had passed to the ruling house.

Columbia University

If such a thing occurred when a house caught fire and the fire trucks never came, naturally the blame would fall on those who are assigned to rescue us.

Huffington Post

But could such a thing occur?

The Economist

Since the book's release, however, Tenet, Richer himself and another key source have adamantly denied that such a thing occurred.

The New York Times - Books

"We would bill for only half the amount--if such a thing should occur". Snobbish as he comes off--and fickle as the retail masses are--Kurkdjian isn't looking down his nose at them.

Forbes

It may have been struggling with hitting the market early, before NFC technology really took off and became mainstream (if such a thing ever occurs, to be fair), and it also suffered setbacks when competitor VeriFone dropped the company as a supplier of readers, in favor of its own.

TechCrunch

"We would bill for only half the amount–if such a thing should occur".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if such a thing occurs" to introduce a possible, often undesirable, scenario. This helps create a contingency mindset in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "if such a thing occurs" in informal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "if that happens" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if such a thing occurs" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a hypothetical scenario. It sets the stage for a potential event and its consequences, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if such a thing occurs" introduces a conditional situation or hypothetical scenario. It is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig AI and is commonly found in diverse contexts such as news, media and academic documents. While more formal alternatives exist, understanding the contexts in which it is most appropriately used can significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Using the phrase can effectively prompt readers to consider potential outcomes and necessary precautions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if that happens

More direct and less formal phrasing.

should that occur

More formal and emphasizes a possible event.

were such a thing to happen

More formal and hypothetical construction.

in the event that it happens

More elaborate, highlighting a contingency.

if this were to happen

Hypothetical scenario, slightly more emphatic.

if the situation arises

Focuses on the emergence of a specific circumstance.

if it should come to pass

More archaic and formal way to express possibility.

assuming that it occurs

Emphasizes the assumption of an event.

on the condition that it happens

Highlights a prerequisite for something else.

in case it comes about

Simple alternative focusing on precaution.

FAQs

How can I use "if such a thing occurs" in a sentence?

Use "if such a thing occurs" to introduce a hypothetical or conditional situation. For example, "We will need a backup plan if such a thing occurs during the experiment".

What can I say instead of "if such a thing occurs"?

You can use alternatives like "if that happens", "should that occur", or "in the event that it happens" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "if such a thing occurs"?

It's appropriate in formal writing or when emphasizing the hypothetical nature of an event. Simpler phrases are better for informal settings.

What's the difference between "if such a thing occurs" and "if that happens"?

"If such a thing occurs" is more formal and often used to emphasize the hypothetical or potentially problematic nature of an event. "If that happens" is more direct and casual.