untoward event

USAGE SUMMARY

"untoward event" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an unexpected event or occurrence that has some kind of negative consequence. For example: "The employees were taken by surprise when an untoward event in the production process caused the machines to unexpectedly shut down."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I am also conscious that any untoward event, incident or threat to this national security draws the greatest concern in the nation's psyche.

The Guardian

With the convention site sealed off and the Republican agenda a rosy model of nondissent, the marchers, bolstered by assorted other protesters, sought to instigate the only untoward event of the day for the 15,000 visiting news workers.

The New York Times

"Have you ever noticed how," Henninger wrote, "on a scale of one to 10, every untoward event in the life of the Bush presidency goes straight to a 10? "The Abu Ghraib photos?

The Guardian

Patients who experience no symptoms may need to be convinced of the necessity of taking their medication daily to prevent the occurrence of an untoward event (in hypertension, a stroke or other cardiovascular problems).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Insured versus Economic Impact Insurance does not decrease the global losses from an untoward event, but rather, spreads its financial impact by enabling those at risk to pay a relatively small premium so they can be protected against a large loss that has a small chance of occurring.

Harvard University

Many legal inquiries are concerned to explain how some event or state of affairs came about, especially an untoward event such as death or a state of affairs such as insolvency.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In contrast to previous reports, most untoward adverse events were episodes of symptomatic hypotension associated with absolute or relative bradycardia following regadenoson injection [ 17].

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Two untoward events ensued.

The New York Times

It commended the government for taking "strict measures to check such untoward events".

The New York Times

One moment she was middle class, envisioning a placid old age, and then a series of untoward events ambushed her.

The New York Times

Long-term bonds typically pay more than short-term ones, because there is more time for untoward events, like default or inflation, to occur.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "untoward event" when you want to describe something unexpected and unwelcome, often with negative consequences. It's suitable for formal and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "untoward event" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "bad thing" or "problem" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "untoward event" functions as a noun phrase, where "untoward" modifies the noun "event". It is generally used to refer to an occurrence or incident that is unwelcome, unfavorable, or creates difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms it is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "untoward event" is a grammatically correct and valid expression used to describe an unexpected and unwelcome incident. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Although its frequency is uncommon, it appears across various contexts, most notably in science and news media. When writing, it is best to reserve "untoward event" for more formal or professional situations. Consider more commonplace alternatives, such as "unfortunate event" or "problem", in informal contexts. Understanding the connotations and register associated with "untoward event" helps ensure its correct and effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunate event

This term implies bad luck or an unlucky circumstance.

negative event

A general term indicating a bad or undesirable occurrence.

adverse event

Commonly used in medical or scientific contexts to describe harmful effects.

unfavorable event

This suggests a negative impact or outcome.

unwelcome event

This highlights the fact that the event was not desired or appreciated.

regrettable event

This phrase emphasizes the feeling of sorrow or disappointment associated with the event.

detrimental event

Emphasizes the harmful or damaging consequences of the event.

harmful event

This indicates that the event caused damage or injury.

unpleasant event

Focuses on the disagreeable or displeasing nature of the occurrence.

inappropriate event

This alternative suggests something is unsuitable or out of place, rather than necessarily negative or harmful.

FAQs

How to use "untoward event" in a sentence?

Use "untoward event" to describe an unexpected and negative occurrence, such as, "The company experienced an "unfortunate event" when the main server crashed".

What can I say instead of "untoward event"?

You can use alternatives like ""unfortunate event"", "adverse event", or "negative event" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "untoward event" or "untoward events"?

"Untoward event" refers to a single occurrence, while "untoward events" refers to multiple occurrences. Choose the form that matches the number of events you are describing.

What's the difference between "untoward event" and "adverse event"?

"Untoward event" is a more general term for an unwelcome occurrence, while "adverse event" is often used in medical or scientific contexts to specifically describe harmful or negative effects.