lethal incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lethal incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that results in death or serious harm, often in contexts related to violence or accidents. Example: "The police are investigating a lethal incident that occurred late last night in the downtown area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

By Wednesday, the death toll had cleared four hundred, rendering it the single most lethal incident in the history of the garment industry.

The New Yorker

The death toll from the attack on Thursday, the most lethal incident in the city since the United States military took control, rose to 17 from 11 today, hospital officials said.

The New York Times

The Wikileaks video of a lethal incident in Baghdad in July, 2007, reminds me of footage I once saw of Brazilian hunters in a helicopter chasing Indians as they fled across the bush and mowing them down for sport.

The New Yorker

"Sound from the Bench" — which gives Hearne's new album, on Cantaloupe, its title — and the other works collected here deal with several manifestations of modern oppression: economic, sexual, corporate (the travesty of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision), and military (a lethal incident of confusion in the Iraq War, laid out in a text gleaned from a WikiLeaks release).

The New Yorker

By George Packer April 6, 2010 The Wikileaks video of a lethal incident in Baghdad in July, 2007, reminds me of footage I once saw of Brazilian hunters in a helicopter chasing Indians as they fled across the bush and mowing them down for sport.

The New Yorker

Among these 16 we identified 2 patients who resulted positive to P. aeruginosa sharing identical resistance phenotype of the 3 lethal incident cases observed in the second infection cluster (table 3 cases 12 and 13); only one isolate from case 13 was available for molecular analysis.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The introduction of wheel tethers has curtailed lethal incidents of flying wheels.

The Guardian - Sport

If men were cars, who would buy the model that doesn't last as long, is given to lethal incidents and ends up impounded more often?

The New York Times

Have such lethal incidents occurred yet?

Huffington Post

Click through the slideshow below to see some of the lethal incidents over just the last four months.

Huffington Post

"There's going to be issues, some tensions and some disagreements, and these very dreadful, lethal incidents.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on events, use "lethal incident" to clearly convey the fatal nature of the event without sensationalizing the language. This ensures accuracy and avoids causing undue alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "lethal incident" repeatedly in a single report or article. Overuse can lead to sensationalism and may desensitize readers to the gravity of the situation. Vary your language by using alternatives like "fatal event" or "deadly occurrence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lethal incident" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'lethal' modifies the noun 'incident'. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase, as evidenced by its appearance in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lethal incident" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively communicates that an event resulted in death. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it is found in varied sources, it is mostly employed in the context of news and science. When using this phrase, aim for clear and accurate communication without sensationalism. To avoid redundancy, consider alternatives like "fatal event" or "deadly occurrence". While "lethal incident" is suitable for formal writing, mindful usage is key to maintaining a balanced tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fatal event

Replaces 'incident' with 'event', implying a significant and deadly occurrence.

deadly occurrence

Uses 'deadly' to emphasize the fatal nature and 'occurrence' as a broader term for 'incident'.

fatal episode

Substitutes 'incident' with 'episode', suggesting a specific event within a larger context.

lethal episode

Replaces 'incident' with 'episode', emphasizing the particular deadly nature.

deadly event

Replaces 'lethal' with 'deadly' and 'incident' with 'event'.

tragic event

Focuses on the sad and unfortunate nature of the event, implying a deadly outcome.

fatal situation

Replaces 'incident' with 'situation', indicating a broader set of circumstances leading to a deadly result.

deadly affair

Uses 'affair' instead of 'incident', implying involvement and serious consequences.

serious accident

Replaces 'lethal incident' with a more general description of a grave mishap.

mortal event

Uses 'mortal' to indicate something causing or liable to cause death.

FAQs

What does "lethal incident" mean?

A "lethal incident" refers to an event or occurrence that results in death. It's used to describe situations where someone has died, often due to violence, accidents, or other harmful circumstances.

What are some alternatives to saying "lethal incident"?

You can use alternatives like "fatal event", "deadly occurrence", or "tragic event" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "lethal incident" in formal writing?

Yes, "lethal incident" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports, legal documents, and academic papers, as it clearly and accurately describes an event resulting in death.

How does "lethal incident" differ from "serious accident"?

"Lethal incident" specifically implies that someone died as a result of the event, while "serious accident" indicates a grave mishap but doesn't necessarily mean there was a fatality. A "lethal incident" is always a serious incident, but a "serious accident" isn't always a "lethal incident".