should it occur that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should it occur that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal writing to introduce a hypothetical situation or condition. Example: "Should it occur that the project deadline is extended, we will need to adjust our timelines accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have been counting on the impact of his resignation, should it occur, to ensure that senior Egyptian officials do not try to derail the movement toward a constitutional democracy.

The New York Times

If it's just a question of reinforcing what needs to be done to respond to that particular event should it occur, you train for that, you test for it and that's what you do.

The New York Times

"I have very high confidence that we are prepared to respond to a case of Ebola should it occur... and that our collective efforts would prevent spread to others," said Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, the county's interim health officer.

Los Angeles Times

Stop and think "what is the worst that could happen?" No matter how creative your response may be, thinking critically will lead to to find that should it occur, there are few endings that can't be dealt with in a reasonable manner.

WikiHow

* Severity: Defined conceptually as a combination of both the likelihood that an adverse outcome would occur and the clinical significance of that outcome should it occur [7].

BMC Geriatrics

One possibility is that a recession in this country, should it occur, would suppress demand enough that commodity prices would fall substantially for the first time in several years.

The New York Times

Mr. Doll of BlackRock said most investors believe Europe is going to have a shallow recession and that, should it occur, would not lead to significant fallout for the United States economy.

The New York Times

You are able to throw yourself completely and with absolute vigor into everything you do, whether relationships, school, work, sports, whatever, because the only thing that could hold you back--failure --is no longer an existential threat, back--failure --issiback--failure --isshould it occur, you can live with.

Huffington Post

But this particular move -- should it occur -- will only reinforce for me that people in charge are fallible to a greater degree than I'd care to acknowledge.

Huffington Post

When Malcolm Turnbull expresses his surprise and says the royal commission needs to examine "the culture which allowed it to occur", that should not be confined to the culture of the detention centre alone.

The Guardian

When grains are accelerated by gas, size sorting should occur, that is, larger grains tend to stay closer to the nucleus, while smaller grains is pushed farther away.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should it occur that" in formal writing when you want to introduce a hypothetical situation with a degree of emphasis. This phrasing is particularly useful in legal, academic, or business contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "should it occur that" in informal settings or casual conversations. It can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "if it happens that" or "in case" to maintain a more conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should it occur that" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a hypothetical condition. It sets up a scenario that, if realized, will lead to a specific consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should it occur that" is a formal conditional conjunction used to introduce a hypothetical scenario. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound but infrequent, lending itself best to formal writing contexts such as legal documents or academic papers. Because the phrase is relatively rare and formal, simpler and more direct alternatives may be more appropriate in many situations. When aiming for precision and formality, "should it occur that" serves as a valuable tool for outlining potential contingencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the event that

Similar in formality, but more direct.

in the circumstance that

Similar to "in the event that" but slightly more formal.

if it happens that

More common and less formal.

if it should come about that

Similar to "if it happens that" but adds a layer of formality.

should the case arise that

Focuses on a specific scenario or case.

if the situation arises that

More explicit about the conditional nature.

if such a thing were to happen

Highlights the hypothetical and potentially unexpected nature.

on the off chance that

Implies a low probability of occurrence.

supposing that it transpires

Emphasizes the unfolding of events.

assuming that it comes to pass

More elaborate and emphasizes the actualization of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "should it occur that" in a sentence?

The phrase "should it occur that" introduces a hypothetical situation. For example, "Should it occur that the meeting is canceled, we will notify all attendees immediately."

What are some alternatives to "should it occur that"?

You can use alternatives like "if it happens that", "in the event that", or "if the situation arises that" depending on the context.

Is "should it occur that" formal or informal?

"Should it occur that" is generally considered a formal phrase. It's best suited for academic, legal, or business writing where precision is important.

When is it appropriate to use "should it occur that"?

It is appropriate when you want to introduce a hypothetical situation in a formal and somewhat emphatic way. It's suitable for documents like contracts, research papers, or official reports.