uncommon occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncommon occurrence" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when describing something that happens rarely or is not typical. For example: - The earthquake was an uncommon occurrence in this region. - It's an uncommon occurrence for a high school student to win a national writing competition. - Losing power for several days was an uncommon occurrence for this city. - Seeing a shooting star is an uncommon occurrence, but it's always a magical experience. - Unfortunately, workplace harassment is still an uncommon occurrence that needs to be addressed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's a very uncommon occurrence".

The New York Times

This is not an uncommon occurrence.

The New York Times - Sports

It is in fact, a far from uncommon occurrence.

Independent

You would think that, by now, this would not be an uncommon occurrence.

The Guardian - Music

"It's not an uncommon occurrence; it's part of the culture of some facilities".

The New York Times - Magazine

Both planes lost use of both engines -- an extraordinarily uncommon occurrence, except when fuel is diluted, spoiled or lacking.

The New York Times

It's easy to understand that fear, though in fact abduction by strangers is an extremely uncommon occurrence.

The New York Times - Magazine

Young men who left for reasons of mental ill health, a not uncommon occurrence, also received no help.

The New Yorker

"That is not an uncommon occurrence for someone who has spent the last decade working in the intelligence world".

The Guardian

A not uncommon occurrence in downtown Ballina, where wild salmon blend seamlessly with town life.

The New York Times - Sports

What many think of as an uncommon occurrence is, in fact, the opposite.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uncommon occurrence", consider whether emphasizing the rarity or the nature of the event is more important for your context. If it's about rarity, alternatives like "rare event" might be more effective. If it's about the event's nature, "odd phenomenon" might be suitable.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "uncommon occurrence" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In more relaxed settings, consider simpler alternatives like "rare thing" or "doesn't happen often".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncommon occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an event or situation that is not frequent or typical. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncommon occurrence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to denote events or situations that are not typical or frequent, fitting well in formal writing but potentially sounding overly formal in casual contexts. While "uncommon occurrence" is generally accepted, consider alternatives like "rare event" or "infrequent incident" for nuanced communication. Ludwig's AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and provides examples of its usage across diverse sources, with News & Media being the most frequent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rare event

Focuses on the infrequency of the event itself, emphasizing its unusual nature.

infrequent incident

Highlights the low frequency of the incident, suggesting it is not a regular occurrence.

isolated case

Emphasizes the singularity and lack of repetition of the event.

exceptional instance

Suggests the event is out of the ordinary and stands apart from typical situations.

odd phenomenon

Highlights the strangeness or peculiarity of the event, making it noteworthy.

atypical situation

Indicates that the situation deviates from what is considered normal or standard.

remarkable episode

Focuses on the noteworthiness and potential impact of the event.

unusual circumstance

Emphasizes the uncommon nature of the conditions surrounding the event.

singular happening

Highlights the unique and non-recurring nature of the event.

once-in-a-lifetime event

Implies extreme rarity, suggesting the event is unlikely to ever happen again.

FAQs

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

You can use "uncommon occurrence" to describe something that doesn't happen often. For example, "Snow in July is an uncommon occurrence".

What are some alternatives to "uncommon occurrence"?

You can use alternatives like "rare event", "infrequent incident", or "exceptional instance", depending on the context.

Is "uncommon occurrence" formal or informal?

"Uncommon occurrence" leans toward the formal side. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "rare thing" or "doesn't happen often".

What is the difference between "uncommon occurrence" and "rare event"?

While both describe something that doesn't happen often, "uncommon occurrence" emphasizes the event's happening, while "rare event" focuses on the event itself as being unusual.