unforeseen incident

USAGE SUMMARY

'unforeseen incident' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that happened unexpectedly or that no one could have predicted. Example: Unfortunately, an unforeseen incident occurred which prevented us from finishing the project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But keep in mind that ordeals can be as satisfying as pleasures, and what I was thinking as the rain began in Racine and I watched the waves of Lake Michigan tumble to the beach was that barring unforeseen incident I'm about a month from getting back to New York.

The New York Times

The U.S. is still the safest place to park funds and I would expect that rates should remain relatively low for at least the next 6 months barring an unforeseen incident.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Police Department will have its entire force, 124 officers, on duty to help with traffic, crowd control and any unforeseen incidents.

The New York Times

Proponents of divestments say the industry, which is all about managing risks by insuring against catastrophes and other unforeseen incidents, should understand more than any other the perils of investing in fossil fuels.

The Guardian

It is worth bearing mind that the best laid plans can get waylaid by an unexpected flurry of snow or other unforeseen incidents, so if you know what you want you would be well advised to order as soon as you can.

The Guardian - Money

Liu Yuan, political commissar of the People's Liberation Army's General Logistics Department, in a Global Times commentary says China must prevent its economic development from being interrupted again by "unforeseen incidents".

BBC

China, he writes, has failed to live up to agreements mad with Japan "to create a maritime and air communication mechanism in order to prevent unforeseen incidents between our countries from generating tensions and miscalculation".

BBC

The system provides passengers with information that ensures that they are oriented throughout their trip, notifying them of any events occurring in the vehicle that could affect their itinerary or that may be of interest (points of specific relevance, arrival at destination, unforeseen incidents, etc).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Huffington Post

A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Huffington Post

In order to allow for exclusions due to animal deaths, mistakes in preparation of specimens, and other unforeseen incidents, this number was increased.

Acta Orthopaedica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "unforeseen incident" is often used to explain deviations from a plan or to justify unexpected outcomes.

Common error

While "unforeseen incident" is technically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "unexpected event" or "surprise mishap" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen incident" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It refers to an event that was not anticipated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unforeseen incident" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe unexpected events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for formal writing. While versatile, it is particularly suited to news, media, and scientific contexts. Keep in mind the level of formality and consider simpler alternatives for casual conversations. Remember, the essence of the phrase lies in its ability to convey surprise and lack of anticipation. You can also use phrases as "unexpected event" and "surprise mishap" depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected event

Replaces 'incident' with 'event', focusing on the surprise nature.

unforeseeable occurrence

Uses 'occurrence' instead of 'incident', emphasizing unpredictability.

unpredicted event

Highlights the lack of prediction with 'unpredicted'.

surprise mishap

Focuses on the accidental and unexpected aspect of the event.

chance happening

Emphasizes the randomness and unexpectedness.

unanticipated circumstance

Shifts the focus to the conditions or situation.

unexpected development

Highlights the progression or unfolding of an event.

sudden occurrence

Focuses on the abruptness of the event.

chance event

Emphasizes the randomness of the event.

unplanned event

Highlights the lack of planning.

FAQs

How can I use "unforeseen incident" in a sentence?

You can use "unforeseen incident" to describe an event that was not predicted or planned for. For example: "The project was delayed due to an unforeseen incident."

What can I say instead of "unforeseen incident"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected event", "unpredicted event", or "surprise mishap" depending on the context.

Is "unforeseen incident" a formal phrase?

Yes, "unforeseen incident" tends to be more formal and is often used in professional or official contexts. In casual settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "unforeseen incident" and "unforeseeable incident"?

While both phrases are similar, "unforeseen incident" suggests that the incident was simply not seen or predicted, while "unforeseeable incident" implies that it was impossible to predict.