in the event of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the event of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to mean "if something happens or if a situation arises" and often precedes a contingency or action. For example: In the event of an emergency evacuation, be sure to follow the posted directions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Canceled in the event of steady rain.

The New York Times - Arts

Reapply in the event of rain.

Cornell University

In the event of a tie we'll think of something.

The Guardian

And what would happen in the event of an earthquake?

The New York Times - Arts

What are the plans in the event of an outbreak?

The New York Times - Magazine

In the event, of course, he stayed put.

The New Yorker

Cursing is allowed in the event of frustration.

The New Yorker

In the event of confusion, consult our official rules.

The New Yorker

The second discusses procedures in the event of a fire.

The New York Times

In the event of a yes vote that might change".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Protecting those cables in the event of fire is critical.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the event of" to clearly state a condition and its corresponding action, ensuring clarity in instructions or protocols.

Common error

While "in the event of" is versatile, avoid overusing it in casual conversation; simpler alternatives like "if" or "in case" can sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the event of" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a conditional clause. It sets up a hypothetical situation or event, outlining what will occur if that condition is met, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

29%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the event of" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to introduce conditional clauses. Ludwig AI confirms its reliability in specifying contingencies across various contexts. While versatile, it is more suited for formal and neutral registers, finding frequent usage in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific domains. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "in case of" or "if". By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively incorporate "in the event of" into your writing to provide clarity and preparedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in case of

Similar in meaning but slightly more concise.

if there is

More direct and less formal.

should there be

More formal and emphasizes a hypothetical situation.

in circumstances of

More formal and emphasizes specific conditions.

on the occurrence of

Highly formal and emphasizes the happening of an event.

if it happens that

Expresses a possibility with a more explanatory structure.

contingent on

Highlights dependence on a future event.

depending on whether

Indicates conditionality based on a particular circumstance.

conditional upon

Formal and emphasizes that something relies on a specific condition.

subject to

Indicates dependence or potential modification based on certain circumstances.

FAQs

What does "in the event of" mean?

The phrase "in the event of" means "if something happens" or "if a particular situation arises". It's used to specify a condition and the action or outcome that will occur if that condition is met.

How can I use "in the event of" in a sentence?

You can use "in the event of" to introduce a condition that triggers a specific action. For example, "In the event of rain, the picnic will be moved indoors."

What can I say instead of "in the event of"?

Alternatives to "in the event of" include "in case of", "if there is", or "should there be", depending on the context.

Is "in the event of" formal or informal?

"In the event of" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, using alternatives such as "if" or "in case" might be more appropriate.