the only incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the only incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a singular event or occurrence that stands out as unique or significant in a particular context. Example: "Despite numerous events throughout the year, the only incident that caused a major stir was the unexpected resignation of the CEO."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

That was not the only incident that raised concerns.

The New York Times

But that was not the only incident that drew scrutiny in the final laps.

The New York Times - Sports

The protest was the only incident to puncture the mood of mutual, jargon-rich congratulation.

Independent

And the Hunt affair is not the only incident that fuels Moroz-Hunt's murky mystique.

The New York Times

Woodhead said that was the only incident raised during Vahey's employment from 2009-13.

The Guardian

An armed robbery has been the only incident over the past few months.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The only incidents of public uprising against the Taliban have been about the Taliban interfering in matters that are regarded as within the jurisdiction of the patriarchs of the extended family.

The Guardian - Opinion

The largest five disasters are the only fatal incidents in the database to account for over 10,000 fatalities each, and the next five largest (Tungurahua in 1640, Grímsvötn in 1783, Kilauea in 1790, Santa María in 1902, and Kelut in 1919) are the only incidents responsible for between 5,000 and 10,000 fatalities (Figure 6).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Of course, these are not the only incidents where Donald Trump has been abusive of media personalities.

Huffington Post

In the model, only incident patients were considered at risk for experiencing an opioid-induced side effect.

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

The results for the analyses using only incident cases were very similar to the results including both incident and prevalent cases (Table  III).

Human Reproduction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the only incident" to clearly indicate that there was just one occurrence of something, especially when contrasting it with other potential events or a series of occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "the only incident" in overly complex sentences where it can make the sentence structure clunky. Simplify the sentence or use a more concise alternative like "the sole occurrence" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the only incident" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a singular occurrence, emphasizing its uniqueness and often setting it apart from other potential events or situations. Ludwig examples support this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the only incident" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight a singular event or occurrence. Ludwig's analysis confirms its common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media, but also in scientific and general writing. Alternatives such as "the sole occurrence" or "the single event" may be used for semantic variation. When using "the only incident", ensure it fits seamlessly into the sentence structure to maintain clarity and avoid clunkiness. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sole occurrence

Emphasizes that there was only one instance of something.

the single event

Highlights the singularity of the event in question.

the solitary case

Stresses the isolated nature of the event.

the unique episode

Focuses on the distinct and unmatched quality of the incident.

just one instance

Simplifies the statement to emphasize the lack of repetition.

a one-off event

Indicates that the event is not likely to be repeated.

the lone happening

Highlights the isolated and infrequent nature of the event.

a singular occurrence

Focuses on the rarity and exceptional nature of the event.

the only occurrence reported

Highlights that there were no other events reported of similar nature.

the only instance documented

Highlights that there is a specific mention and recording of the event, making it unique.

FAQs

How can I use "the only incident" in a sentence?

Use "the only incident" to emphasize the singularity of an event, such as, "The only incident that caused concern was the system outage."

What are some alternatives to "the only incident"?

Alternatives include "the sole occurrence", "the single event", or "the solitary case", which all emphasize that there was only one instance of something.

When is it appropriate to use "the only incident"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight that there was precisely one occurrence of a particular event and to distinguish it from other potential events or a pattern of events.

Is "the only incident" formal or informal language?

"The only incident" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various writing styles.