in the event of a

USAGE SUMMARY

'in the event of a' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used when talking about a possible but uncertain situation. For example, you could say: "In the event of a natural disaster, we will need to evacuate the area".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

But what happens in the event of a tsunami?

MIT Technology Review

Where would you go in the event of a crisis?

Cornell University

In the event of a sudden death, you could be rebooted from your last backup.

The New York Times

In the event of a loss owners can flag it up to the database.

The Guardian

They also talked about creating a contingency fund in the event of a lockout.

The New York Times

agree to recommend its offer or in the event of a rival bid.

The New York Times

The new law gives women equal dibs on shared property in the event of a divorce.

The New York Times

In the event of a loss, the series will be decided Tuesday night at the Garden.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the event of a", ensure the subsequent clause clearly outlines the action or outcome that will occur if the stated event takes place. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using future tense in both the 'event' clause and the 'result' clause. Instead, use the present tense in the 'event' clause and the future tense in the 'result' clause. Correct: "In the event of a fire, evacuate immediately". Incorrect: "In the event of a fire will happen, we will evacuate."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the event of a" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a conditional clause. It sets up a hypothetical scenario, as Ludwig examples clearly demonstrate, and indicates a specific action or outcome that will occur if that scenario comes to pass. Ludwig AI confirms this correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the event of a" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to introduce a conditional clause, often used in scenarios requiring a contingency plan. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in written English. It's prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Science, marking its presence across various authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. To ensure clarity, always follow "in the event of a" with a clear action or outcome and avoid using future tense in both clauses. Remember, while “in the event of a” is considered fairly formal, other alternatives such as "in case of a" or even a simple "if" can be employed, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in case of a

This alternative offers a more concise way to express the same conditional situation.

if a

This is a very basic and shortened version of the expression.

depending on a

This alternative indicates that the outcome varies based on the occurrence of a specific event.

if there is a

This option uses a more direct conditional clause instead of a prepositional phrase.

when a

This is a straightforward way to introduce a condition, focusing on the time the event happens.

contingent on a

This phrase presents a condition on which something else depends.

conditional upon a

Similar to contingent, but slightly more formal and emphasizes the dependency.

should there be a

This provides a more formal and slightly less common way to express the same condition.

on the occurrence of a

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the happening of the event.

in a situation involving a

This describes a specific set of conditions where the subsequent action would be relevant.

FAQs

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

Use "in the event of a" to introduce a hypothetical situation and explain what action should be taken if that situation occurs. For example, "In the event of a power outage, the backup generator will automatically activate".

What are some alternatives to saying "in the event of a"?

You can use alternatives like "in case of a", "if there is a", or "should there be a" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "in the event of a" in formal writing?

Yes, "in the event of a" is suitable for formal writing and is often used in legal, business, and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "in the event of a" and "if"?

"In the event of a" is a more formal way of saying "if". While both introduce a condition, "in the event of a" often implies a more significant or formal contingency than a simple "if" statement. See also: "if there is a".