surprising occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surprising occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that is unexpected or astonishing. Example: "The sudden snowfall in April was a surprising occurrence for the residents of the town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

wouldn't be the world's most surprising occurrence.

Independent

Puje explained that she was very glad that we had come and couldn't wait to tell her husband about the surprising occurrence.

BBC

The company's swift dismissal of an alleged sexual predator is a welcome if surprising occurrence that should go hand in hand with WWE's Women's Evolution.

Huffington Post

Two years ago, Howard made local headlines when university students protested a lack of efficiency and feedback from the university's financial aid and housing departments - a usual source of angst for HBCU students everywhere, but a surprising occurrence for many holding Mecca-sized expectations at the university.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Not surprising, the occurrence of postnatal tiredness is associated with the amount of infant crying [ 4, 5].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Given the known ability of meningococci to be transformed by DNA from other strains, it is surprising that occurrence of genuine porB2/3 hybrids has not yet been documented.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The assembled molecule comprises polypeptide chains A, B, C and D where A and C are sequence equivalent, as are B and D. It is somewhat surprising that the occurrence of structural features (a), (b) and (c) between say Insugen (I) chains A and C is by no means one to one but rather almost lacking in correspondence.

Chemistry Central Journal

Most EST primer pairs resolved multilocus patterns, which is not surprising given the occurrence of multigene families in conifers [ 32].

BMC Genomics

Even more surprising is the occurrence of DyP-type B genes in the Trematode parasite Schistosoma mansoni.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics

This finding is novel but not surprising because the occurrence of ≥2 sites of infection usually indicates a severe, secondary or nosocomial infection and/or a poor host immunity, all of which are associated with a poor outcome [ 22].

BMC Infectious Diseases

It is interesting, but not surprising, that the occurrence of Cryptosporidium among the dogs at 3 months old was found to be associated with infection status of the litter before weaning.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surprising occurrence" when you want to emphasize both the unexpectedness and the factual nature of an event. It's more formal than "surprise" and suitable for reports or analytical writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "surprising occurrence" can sound stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "surprise" or "unexpected event" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surprising occurrence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "surprising" modifies the noun "occurrence". It describes an event or situation characterized by its unexpected nature. Ludwig provides examples in news and media where this phrase is used to describe unexpected events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surprising occurrence" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English that describes an unexpected event. As analyzed by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in news and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While "surprising occurrence" is valid, using simpler terms such as "unexpected event" or "astonishing incident" can be more appropriate in informal settings. Remember, context is king when choosing the best way to express an unexpected event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected event

Focuses on the lack of anticipation of the event.

astonishing incident

Emphasizes the degree of amazement or shock caused by the event.

unforeseen circumstance

Highlights the lack of prior knowledge or planning related to the situation.

remarkable happening

Suggests the event is noteworthy and deserving of attention.

peculiar development

Implies the event is strange or unusual in nature.

chance phenomenon

Highlights the accidental or coincidental nature of the event.

fluke situation

Suggests the event is an improbable or random occurrence.

out-of-the-blue incident

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the event.

aberrant episode

Implies the event deviates from the norm or expected pattern.

uncommon instance

Highlights the infrequency or rarity of the event.

FAQs

What does "surprising occurrence" mean?

The phrase "surprising occurrence" refers to an event or situation that is unexpected or astonishing.

What can I say instead of "surprising occurrence"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected event", "astonishing incident", or "unforeseen circumstance" depending on the context.

Is "surprising occurrence" formal or informal?

"Surprising occurrence" leans towards a more formal register. Simpler alternatives might be more suitable for casual conversation.

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

For example, "The meteor shower was a "surprising occurrence" that captivated skywatchers worldwide."