incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'incident' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular event or happening, especially one that is unusual, unpleasant, or noteworthy. Example sentence: The incident at the store last night was quickly resolved.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pugh's father, Simon, confirmed his son, a barman and Huddersfield University student, was involved in the incident.

The Guardian

"Joe was in the front row with his girlfriend when the incident happened," Hibbert said.

The Guardian

As soon as the assembly was made aware of the incident, the flags were removed".

The Guardian

Fealy said the incident was a "glaring example" of the backlash that can occur as a result of a few frustrated remarks.

The Guardian

Clarkson has since said in his column in the Sunday Times that he had suffered a cancer scare two days before the incident.

The Guardian

Yes, what happened at Munich put the incident into perspective.

The Guardian - Sport

Had Arsène Wenger been able to ask for a view of the latter incident he would probably have succeeded in having the goal chalked off for offside – the foul was less clear-cut – and that would have been justice.

The Guardian - Sport

As that drone floated surreally over the Belgrade pitch on 14 October, sparking the extraordinary mayhem that followed on the pitch, it was just the latest incident to make that stance look naive at best and dangerous at worst.

The Guardian - Sport

Steve Brickell, the police coroner's officer, said: "On behalf of the coroner we are investigating this woman's death and I am keen to speak to witnesses to the incident and more importantly the cyclist involved.

The Guardian

In one incident in Margate, he claimed, voters said they had been intimidated by Ukip supporters as they approached a polling station.

The Guardian

The 'canary' yellow with green side panels somehow made an even greater sight of the brawny specimens donning Australian caps (and also provided a colourful back-drop to the underarm incident, it must be said), while powder blue, maroon, lime green and beige surely reached their zenith.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on an "incident", ensure you provide accurate details including the who, what, when, where, and why to maintain clarity and avoid misinformation.

Common error

While "incident" is a useful term, avoid repetitive use by employing synonyms such as "event", "occurrence", or "situation" to add variety to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "incident" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a specific event or occurrence. It is frequently used to describe events that are noteworthy, disruptive, or require attention. Ludwig AI validates the accurate usage of "incident" in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incident" is a versatile noun used to describe various events, often those that are noteworthy or disruptive. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its correct usage is well-supported across diverse contexts, especially in news, formal reports, and scientific discussions. While highly frequent, it's advisable to diversify your writing by considering synonyms like "event" or "occurrence" to prevent repetition. Remember that while often associated with negative situations, "incident" can apply to neutral or even positive events. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively employ "incident" in your writing to convey specific information with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

event

Refers to a general occurrence, broader in scope than "incident".

occurrence

Similar to "event", but often implies something less planned or expected.

situation

Describes a set of circumstances at a particular time, potentially leading to an "incident".

episode

Implies a specific event that is part of a larger series or narrative.

affair

Often refers to a public event or scandal that attracts attention.

circumstance

Describes the conditions or facts surrounding an event.

eventuality

Refers to a possible event or outcome, often in a future context.

case

Describes a specific instance or example of something.

matter

A situation or subject being dealt with.

development

Refers to a new event or stage in a process.

FAQs

How to use "incident" in a sentence?

Use "incident" to refer to a specific event, especially one that is unexpected or disruptive. For example, "The police are investigating the "shooting" "incident".".

What can I say instead of "incident"?

You can use alternatives like "event", "occurrence", or "situation" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "incident" and "accident"?

"Incident" is a general term for an event, while "accident" typically implies unintentional harm or damage.

Is it correct to use "incident" for positive events?

While "incident" often implies a negative or disruptive event, it can be used for neutral or even positive events, though less commonly. Consider alternatives like "event" or "occurrence" for positive contexts.