uncommon phenomenon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncommon phenomenon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that is rare or not frequently observed. Example: "The appearance of a double rainbow is an uncommon phenomenon that captivates many nature enthusiasts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Rio's waste pickers, made famous by the movie Waste Land, are not an uncommon phenomenon.

The Guardian

Such restless creativity means menu changes — a fairly uncommon phenomenon in a pie shop.

The New York Times - Food

This is an example of "programmed death," not an uncommon phenomenon in plant and animal development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The term diglossia (rather than bilingualism) is frequently used by sociolinguists to refer to this by no means uncommon phenomenon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Cunningham ran for state Senate (not an uncommon phenomenon in New Jersey politics), and Anthony Chiappone and Louis Manzo joined him as Assembly candidates.

The New York Times

The downplaying of acquaintance rape in the media leads the public to believe that this kind of sexual assault is an uncommon phenomenon.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Through this sampling, we wanted to increase the chances of gaining theoretical insights through the detection of uncommon phenomena (Eisenhardt and Graebner 2007).

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

We observed two uncommon phenomena during our laboratory study: (1) the significant increase of CO2 emission from AWS soon after starting of freezing and (2) two-levelled pulse of CO2 emission during the thawing.

Carbon Balance and Management

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are gaining popularity as a viable biological alternative to petroleum-derived polyolefin plastic materials, especially because their material properties can be tuned through monomer composition and configuration, an uncommon phenomena in enzymatic polymer products.

Polymer

It is not an uncommon phenomena for media to appeal to our stereotypes for the sake of positive effect and laughs.

Huffington Post

The murder bore the characteristics of a contract killing, a not-uncommon phenomenon in Russia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uncommon phenomenon", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered common or typical to highlight the contrast. For example, specify the baseline frequency against which the phenomenon is deemed uncommon.

Common error

Avoid using "uncommon phenomenon" when the subject is merely undesirable but not statistically rare. Reserve the phrase for situations where the infrequency is a key characteristic. Otherwise you risk hyperbole and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncommon phenomenon" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to identify and categorize an event or occurrence that is not frequently observed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncommon phenomenon" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes events or occurrences which are not frequently observed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits well in both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives like "rare occurrence" or "unusual event" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. It's important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring the context supports the claim of infrequency. The phrase frequently appears in the science and news/media domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rare occurrence

Focuses on the infrequency of the event; more concise.

unusual event

Highlights the deviation from the norm or expected; slightly broader.

infrequent happening

Emphasizes the lack of frequency; more formal.

exceptional circumstance

Suggests a situation that is out of the ordinary and possibly unique.

remarkable incident

Highlights the noteworthiness and potential impact of the event.

scarce event

Focuses on the limited availability or observation of the event.

atypical situation

Emphasizes the deviation from a typical or expected scenario.

isolated case

Suggests that the event is unique and not part of a broader pattern.

anomalous occurrence

Highlights the irregularity and potential deviation from scientific expectations; more formal.

peculiar incident

Emphasizes the strangeness or oddity of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "uncommon phenomenon" to describe something that doesn't happen often. For instance, "The sudden bloom of desert flowers is an "uncommon phenomenon", typically occurring after significant rainfall".

What are some alternatives to "uncommon phenomenon"?

Alternatives to "uncommon phenomenon" include "rare occurrence", "unusual event", or "infrequent happening". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "uncommon phenomenon" or "rare phenomenon"?

Both "uncommon phenomenon" and "rare phenomenon" are correct, but "rare phenomenon" emphasizes scarcity more strongly. "Uncommon phenomenon" simply indicates it's not frequently observed. The better choice depends on the degree of infrequency you want to express.

What is the difference between "uncommon phenomenon" and "anomaly"?

"Uncommon phenomenon" describes something that doesn't occur often, while "anomaly" refers to something that deviates from the norm or expected. An anomaly might also be an "uncommon phenomenon", but not all uncommon phenomena are necessarily anomalies.