infrequent occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infrequent occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happens rarely or not often. Example: "The infrequent occurrence of heavy snowfall in this region surprises the residents each winter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are 65 beds and, today, only 57 patients -- an infrequent occurrence.

The New York Times

Admittedly depressed afterward — a not infrequent occurrence — he said he was, nonetheless, not discouraged from working in TV.

The New York Times - Arts

"Such a questionnaire is not an infrequent occurrence," Mr. Pouncey said.

The New York Times - Tech

While a "directed donation" to a certain individual after death is possible, it's an infrequent occurrence, with approximately a hundred such donations each year.

The New Yorker

Sailors aboard the Mississippi said their dolphin honor guard was not an infrequent occurrence, as the dolphins can be fascinated by what they perhaps perceive as an impossibly large cousin.

The Guardian

From my bicycle in New Jersey, if I am passing a golf-links batture, my head is turned that way and my gaze runs through the woods until a white dot stops it, which is not an infrequent occurrence.

The New Yorker

When the banalities of the book got too much for me — not an infrequent occurrence, alas — I kept tuning back into the excellent music making.

The New York Times

The switch in materials came at some aesthetic cost: the carbon-fibre wings would have withstood winds of up to forty miles an hour, while the steel wings retract automatically when gusts reach twenty-four miles an hour, a not infrequent occurrence on the banks of Lake Michigan.

The New Yorker

At the Reverse Blue gig at Barbes on Wednesday, Halvorson played over conventional "jazz" chord changes — something of an infrequent occurrence in her many projects — during a tune written by Chris Speed (who plays clarinet and tenor saxophone in the group).

The New Yorker

In motion, the digital instrument panel shows navigation information, but when you're stopped – a not infrequent occurrence in urban Japan – that data is replaced by custom artwork and pictures.

Independent

An especially powerful influence is the relatively infrequent occurrence of intermarriages, thus preventing dialectal mixture at the point where it is most effective namely, in the mother tongue learned by the child at home.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, quantify the "infrequent occurrence" whenever possible. For example, state it occurs 'less than 1% of the time' or 'only a few times per year' to provide context.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "infrequent occurrence" is formal. Avoid using it in casual conversation or informal writing, where simpler alternatives like "rarely happens" or "doesn't happen often" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infrequent occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It describes something that happens rarely. For example, 'The infrequent occurrence of rain...' uses it as a subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infrequent occurrence" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something that happens rarely. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English. While common in formal writing, especially in scientific and news contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual conversation. Remember to quantify the rarity where possible to add precision and impact. Be mindful of the formal tone, which may not always be suitable. This phrase is well-supported by numerous examples in Ludwig, demonstrating its varied applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rare event

Focuses on the event itself being uncommon.

uncommon event

Similar to rare event, but may imply slightly less extreme infrequency.

rare instance

Stresses the lack of the frequency for the instance.

scarce appearance

Indicates that something is hard to find.

seldom seen

Highlights the lack of visibility or observation of something.

limited appearance

Indicates that something is not often present or observed.

sporadic incident

Implies irregular and scattered occurrences.

exceptional case

Suggests that the situation is an outlier or deviation from the norm.

exceptional instance

Focuses on the instance itself being uncommon or deviating from the norm.

atypical instance

Emphasizes the non-standard or unusual nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "infrequent occurrence" in a sentence?

You can use "infrequent occurrence" to describe something that does not happen often. For example, "The "infrequent occurrence" of snow made the event special."

What's a simpler way to say "infrequent occurrence"?

Alternatives to "infrequent occurrence" include "rare event", "uncommon event", or "seldom seen". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "infrequent occurrence" formal or informal?

"Infrequent occurrence" leans toward the formal side. In more casual settings, phrases like "rarely happens" or "not common" might be more fitting.

Which is more accurate, "rare occurrence" or "infrequent occurrence"?

Both "rare occurrence" and "infrequent occurrence" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference, although "infrequent occurrence" may sound slightly more formal.