unexpected occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpected occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that was not anticipated or foreseen. Example: "The sudden storm was an unexpected occurrence that disrupted our outdoor plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The unexpected occurrence last year was that there was no unexpected occurrence, at least not a bad one.

The New York Times

Then, in another unexpected occurrence in arid West Texas, it rained.

The New York Times

The giggles and cackles of children rang out through the hall, another unexpected occurrence at a Schiff recital.

The New York Times - Arts

Reconnecting the man to the ventilator "was not an unexpected occurrence for any patient" in the man's condition because patients with heart failure may need ventilator support for short intervals in recovery from major surgery, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The New York Times

This is not a "black swan" event — a sudden, unexpected occurrence — but a white swan one, said Michael A. Levi, senior fellow for energy and the environment at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The New York Times

Epilepsy is well known as the second most prevalent brain disorder (after stroke) characterized with unexpected occurrence of seizures.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Hospitals in New York have been required to report medical mistakes and other unexpected occurrences to the state Health Department since 1985.

The New York Times

Jang's research suggests that when new information presents "risks and threats, novel findings, or unexpected occurrences", people are more likely to pay attention to bias-disconfirming ideas.

The Guardian

But American-based managers were more likely also to trade "event-driven" strategies, based on unexpected occurrences such as takeovers.

The Economist

The Joint Commission does not keep statistics on the frequency of such events because it does not include a left instrument on its list of so-called sentinel events, which the organization defines as unexpected occurrences involving death or the risk of serious physical or psychological injury.

The New York Times - Science

However, there were some unexpected occurrences regarding the PLT content.

Transfusion and Apheresis Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unexpected occurrence", ensure the context clearly establishes what expectations were violated or what was considered the norm before the event.

Common error

While "unexpected occurrence" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "unforeseen event" or "surprising incident" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an event that was not anticipated or foreseen. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly acceptable in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unexpected occurrence" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes an event that was not anticipated. While not overly frequent, Ludwig confirms its acceptability in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and general writing. For enhanced writing, consider synonyms like "unforeseen event" or "surprising incident" to avoid repetition. As a best practice, be sure to clearly establish the prior expectations that the "unexpected occurrence" violated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unforeseen event

Focuses on the event being not predicted or anticipated.

Surprising incident

Highlights the element of surprise associated with the event.

Unanticipated happening

Emphasizes the lack of prior expectation for the event.

Chance happening

Suggests the event occurred randomly or by chance.

Fluke event

Implies the event was an improbable stroke of luck or misfortune.

Accidental development

Highlights that the happening was not planned.

Unexpected development

Highlights that the development was not predicted.

Unforeseen circumstance

Emphasizes the situational aspect of the unexpected event.

Out-of-the-blue event

Highlights the sudden and completely unexpected nature of the event.

Serendipitous event

Suggests that the unexpected occurrence led to a fortunate discovery.

FAQs

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

Use "unexpected occurrence" to describe something that happens that was not predicted or anticipated. For example, "The power outage was an unexpected occurrence that disrupted the meeting."

What can I say instead of "unexpected occurrence"?

You can use alternatives like ""unforeseen event"", ""surprising incident"", or "unanticipated happening" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "unexpected occurrence" or "unexpectant occurrence"?

"Unexpected occurrence" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Unexpectant occurrence" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "unexpected occurrence" and "unusual occurrence"?

"Unexpected occurrence" implies that the event was not predicted, while "unusual occurrence" simply means that the event is not common or typical. An "unusual occurrence" might be anticipated, but is simply out of the ordinary; an "unexpected occurrence" violates expectations.