unlikely occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unlikely occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that is not expected to happen or has a low probability of happening. Example: "The sudden snowstorm in April was an unlikely occurrence that caught everyone off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

But that was the unlikely occurrence in Paris last week – or so it seemed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Either evolution speeds up 10,000-fold, which is an unlikely occurrence, or there will be widespread extinctions.

The Guardian

Investigators described the outbreak as a "very unlikely occurrence and an isolated event" and said that in other regards the firm practised good biosecurity measures.

The Guardian

And if they put the house up for sale, Mr. Cusack would probably feel compelled to finish stripping the pocket doors — a very unlikely occurrence.

The New York Times

Olive is, in short, anything but a blithe spirit, which makes the arrival of a supernatural presence in her living room mirror an unusually unlikely occurrence.

The New York Times

In a competition famous for its upsets, the Rams having made it to Houston may be the most unlikely occurrence in the history of the tournament.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

RBS took advantage of this, for instance by setting the "confidence interval" (essentially a measure of how much capital should be held against unlikely occurrences) at 96%.

The Economist

People from the Bronx and Queens, they said, tend to fear things that might actually happen, like being mugged (harpaxophobia), while Manhattanites are frightened of fantastical and unlikely occurrences (flying sharks, riding in an elevator that rockets through the roof of a building).

The New Yorker

Community Development Director Robert Stanley recounted the tale of the resident and the sycamore tree at Tuesday's meeting as he explained some of the new information staff members had included in the ordinance to cover unlikely occurrences that may surface.

Los Angeles Times

Historical information was considered and used for a prior distribution of the probabilities as a mean to avoid fake or unlikely occurrences [ 18, 19].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Given that statistics suggest that one in four people suffer some sort of mental health problem, this isn't that unlikely an occurrence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlikely occurrence", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the event improbable. Providing specific reasons or statistical data can strengthen the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "unlikely occurrence" when the event is merely undesirable or inconvenient, not genuinely improbable. Reserve it for situations where objective evidence supports the low probability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlikely occurrence" functions as a noun phrase. It describes an event or situation that is not expected to happen. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unlikely occurrence" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe events or situations with low probability. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. Its prevalence in news, media and scientific contexts makes it a versatile choice for expressing skepticism or downplaying risks. While alternatives like "rare event" or "improbable event" exist, understanding the nuances of each helps ensure precise communication. Be mindful not to overstate improbability, and use the phrase when objective evidence supports the assessment of low likelihood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rare event

Focuses on the infrequency of the event, simplifying the original phrase.

improbable event

Emphasizes the low probability of the event taking place.

rare instance

Highlights the singularity and uncommon nature of the event.

remote possibility

Indicates a chance exists, but it is very slight.

slim chance

Implies a very low likelihood of something happening.

exceptional case

Suggests the situation is an anomaly and not the norm.

outlier event

Highlights that the event deviates significantly from the average.

atypical instance

Focuses on the event's deviation from the typical or expected.

infrequent happening

Stresses the lack of regularity in the event's occurrence.

uncommon phenomenon

Describes the event as something not generally observed or experienced.

FAQs

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

Use "unlikely occurrence" to describe an event with a low probability. For example, "A sudden market crash is an "unlikely occurrence", but investors should still be prepared."

What are some alternatives to "unlikely occurrence"?

You can use alternatives such as "rare event", "improbable event", or "slim chance" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "unlikely occurrence" or "rare event"?

Both "unlikely occurrence" and "rare event" are correct, but "unlikely occurrence" might suggest a more unexpected or surprising nature of the event than simply calling it "rare".

What's the difference between "unlikely occurrence" and "unexpected event"?

"Unlikely occurrence" focuses on the low probability of an event, while "unexpected event" emphasizes the surprise factor, regardless of its probability. An unlikely occurrence is inherently unexpected, but an unexpected event isn't necessarily improbable.