isolated occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "isolated occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or instance that happens only once and is not part of a larger pattern or trend. Example: "The isolated occurrence of the rare bird sighting drew the attention of ornithologists from around the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was not an isolated occurrence.

The New York Times - Science

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated occurrence.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated occurrence.

The New York Times

"This is not an isolated occurrence," Milzman said of the puck incident in Columbus.

The New York Times - Sports

Nor has that particular instance of disrespect for student concerns been an isolated occurrence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Illness is not an isolated occurrence; it happens in the context of our lives – to make sense of a disease, you have to understand the person.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prosecutor, Mr. Romankow, seemed to agree, calling the killing an isolated occurrence.

The New York Times

He added: "Circumcision exists as an isolated occurrence, rather than as a phenomenon in Kurdistan.

The New York Times

"We have also learned that the incident here at CoxHealth is, unfortunately, not an isolated occurrence.

The New York Times

Many tourists riding similar boats in the District on Friday were undeterred by news of the fatal event in Missouri, viewing it as an isolated occurrence.

The Washington Post

According to Kachroo, the Madoff debacle is not an isolated occurrence, but a symptom of overwhelming flaws that plague our regulatory system.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "isolated occurrence", ensure the context clearly establishes that the event is not part of a pattern or trend. Use it to emphasize the uniqueness or infrequency of something.

Common error

Avoid using "isolated occurrence" when you simply mean something is rare but potentially recurring. "Isolated occurrence" implies a one-time event that's not likely to repeat, differing from something merely infrequent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "isolated occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. Ludwig's examples show it describing events considered singular and non-repeating.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

24%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "isolated occurrence" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe an event that is unique and not part of a recurring pattern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across a range of contexts, from news reports and scientific publications to academic papers. While "isolated occurrence" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal communication, ensure the context accurately reflects that the event is truly singular rather than simply rare. Be mindful of potential misinterpretations, as "isolated occurrence" emphasizes uniqueness, unlike a "rare event", which may happen again. Related phrases such as "unique instance" or "singular event" can offer alternative ways to express this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unique instance

Emphasizes the singularity and distinctiveness of the event.

Singular event

Highlights the event's status as being the only one of its kind.

One-off situation

Suggests the situation is not expected to be repeated.

Exceptional case

Indicates the event deviates from the norm.

Rare instance

Focuses on the infrequency of the event.

Uncommon event

Similar to "rare instance" but with a slightly broader implication.

Sporadic incident

Suggests the incident occurs irregularly and infrequently.

Atypical situation

Highlights that the situation is not typical or representative.

Freak accident

Implies randomness and unpredictability of the event.

Outlier event

Describes an event that stands apart from the rest of the data or occurrences.

FAQs

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

You can use "isolated occurrence" to describe an event that happens only once and is not part of a larger trend. For example: "The sighting of the rare bird was an "isolated occurrence"."

What are some alternatives to "isolated occurrence"?

Some alternatives to "isolated occurrence" include "unique instance", "singular event", or "one-off situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "isolated occurrence" instead of "rare event"?

"Isolated occurrence" is best used when the event is believed to be a one-time phenomenon, unlikely to be repeated. "Rare event", on the other hand, suggests the event is infrequent but could happen again. Thus, a meteor strike on Earth would be an "isolated occurrence", but a blue moon is a rare event.

Is "isolated occurrence" formal or informal language?

"Isolated occurrence" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, depending on the audience and the specific nuance you want to convey, you might choose a more informal alternative such as "one-off situation" or a more formal one like "unique instance".