lone incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lone incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single occurrence or event that is isolated or not part of a larger pattern. Example: "The investigation revealed that the theft was a lone incident and not part of a series of crimes in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And it's not a lone incident, he says.

The Guardian

Jibril Rajoub, the Palestinian chief of preventive security in the West Bank, said the gunmen were operating in defiance of the cease-fire orders of Yasir Arafat and called the shooting in Hebron "a lone incident".

The New York Times

He said the Broncos had provided signed statements from everyone from the owner Pat Bowlen to members of the coaching staff and the football operations staff that they were unaware of any other breaking of competitive rules beyond the lone incident involving Scarnecchia, who has been fired.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite likely being a lone incident, police presence will be heavier at New York City synagogues for the rest of the day. .

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This will not be a lone wildlife incident.

Independent

Although French officials claim the prevention of five major attacks over the past two years, lone wolf incidents persist.

Huffington Post

Apart from the threat of "lone wolf" incidents, such as the recent attack in Sydney, the Spanish authorities are on high alert because members of the Islamic State have threatened several times to retake al Andalus — medieval Muslim Spain.

Vice

Among these lone-wolf incidents, 17% are motivated by right-wing extremism/white supremacy (Spaaji 2012, p. 37).

Crime Science

Lonely lone.

The New Yorker

Mr Johnson, now deceased, was a lone shooter in this incident.

The Guardian

I was thinking it was a lone gunman, and the incident would be over in 15 minutes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lone incident", ensure the context clearly establishes that the event is not part of a series or pattern. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing the isolated nature of the occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "lone incident" to downplay the seriousness of an event. While the phrase emphasizes isolation, it doesn't diminish the potential impact or consequences of the incident itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lone incident" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a singular, isolated event. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from crime reports to security assessments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lone incident" is a noun phrase used to describe a singular, isolated event, as validated by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare. The phrase serves to emphasize the lack of connection to other occurrences, often used in news and media to provide context and reassurance. Alternatives such as "isolated occurrence" or "single event" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using "lone incident", ensure the context supports the emphasis on isolation and avoid using it to minimize the significance of the event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

isolated occurrence

Focuses on the separation of the event from any pattern or series.

isolated case

Similar to isolated occurrence, stressing the event's uniqueness.

single event

Emphasizes the singularity of the event, without necessarily implying isolation.

solitary instance

Emphasizes the single occurrence of the event.

one-off situation

Indicates the event is unlikely to be repeated.

unique circumstance

Highlights the special nature and lack of precedent for the event.

uncommon occurrence

Highlights the infrequency of the event.

exceptional event

Underlines that the incident deviates from the normal or expected.

atypical situation

Suggests the event is not representative of a typical pattern.

rare episode

Emphasizes the seldom nature of the incident.

FAQs

How can I use "lone incident" in a sentence?

You can use "lone incident" to describe a single event that is not part of a larger pattern. For example, "The company assured investors that the security breach was a "lone incident" and not indicative of broader vulnerabilities".

What are some alternatives to "lone incident"?

Alternatives include "isolated occurrence", "single event", or "one-off situation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "lone incident" formal or informal?

"Lone incident" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more suitable for neutral or professional communication, as seen in news reports and official statements.

What's the difference between "lone incident" and "isolated incident"?

While very similar, "isolated incident" emphasizes the separation of the event from any related occurrences, whereas "lone incident" simply highlights its singularity. The phrases are often interchangeable.