unusual occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusual occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that is not typical or expected. Example: "The sudden snowfall in April was an unusual occurrence for our region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was not an unusual occurrence, she said.

The New York Times

It is not a terribly unusual occurrence on the hill.

The New York Times

That is an unusual occurrence in economic forecasting.

The Washington Post

"It's not an unusual occurrence that makes them special".

The New York Times

Berbatov said it was not an unusual occurrence.

Independent

The presence of reporters at the detention centre is a highly unusual occurrence.

The Guardian

This is not an especially unusual occurrence on the festival circuit.

The New York Times - Magazine

In other words, streaks of 56 games or longer are not at all an unusual occurrence.

The New York Times

An expert with Human Rights Watch commented that "in Nigeria, unfortunately, that's not an unusual occurrence".

The New York Times

Locals believe the unusual occurrence was brought on by a recent earthquake.

The Washington Post

"Its an unusual occurrence for Alaskan peaks," said Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, a geophysicist at the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unusual occurrence", ensure the context clearly indicates what is considered normal or expected, against which the occurrence is being judged as unusual.

Common error

Avoid using "unusual occurrence" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and descriptive alternatives, such as "anomaly", "deviation", or "exceptional case", to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusual occurrence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and categorize an event or situation that deviates from the expected or normal pattern. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showing numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unusual occurrence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to describe events that deviate from the norm. According to Ludwig, it finds its primary use in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. While the phrase is versatile, more specific alternatives like ""rare event"" or ""exceptional incident"" may be preferred for precision. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that "unusual occurrence" serves to categorize and draw attention to noteworthy or unexpected events, maintaining a neutral register across various sources. It's essential to ensure the context clarifies what's considered typical when employing this phrase effectively. Moreover, to add sophistication in formal writing, you should consider options such as "anomaly", "deviation", or "exceptional case".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extraordinary event

Substitutes 'unusual' with 'extraordinary', indicating that the occurrence is beyond what is ordinary or common.

atypical event

Replaces 'occurrence' with 'event' and 'unusual' with 'atypical', emphasizing the deviation from the norm.

anomalous case

Changes 'unusual occurrence' to 'anomalous case', stressing the irregularity and deviation from the standard.

rare phenomenon

Substitutes 'unusual occurrence' with 'rare phenomenon', highlighting its infrequency and scientific nature.

uncommon instance

Substitutes 'unusual occurrence' with 'uncommon instance', emphasizing that the event is not frequently seen or experienced.

exceptional incident

Replaces 'unusual' with 'exceptional' and 'occurrence' with 'incident', stressing the outstanding nature of the event.

infrequent episode

Replaces 'unusual' with 'infrequent' and 'occurrence' with 'episode', highlighting the rarity of the event.

peculiar circumstance

Changes 'unusual occurrence' to 'peculiar circumstance', emphasizing the odd or strange context surrounding the event.

singular instance

Replaces 'unusual occurrence' with 'singular instance', highlighting the uniqueness and isolated nature of the event.

aberrant situation

Replaces 'unusual occurrence' with 'aberrant situation', suggesting a deviation from the proper or expected course.

FAQs

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

You can use "unusual occurrence" to describe something that deviates from the norm. For example, "The meteor shower was an "unusual occurrence" for that time of year."

What are some alternatives to "unusual occurrence"?

Alternatives include "rare event", "exceptional incident", or "atypical event". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "unusual occurrence" formal or informal?

"Unusual occurrence" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but more precise terms may be preferred in academic or technical writing.

What's the difference between "unusual occurrence" and "strange event"?

"Unusual occurrence" generally implies something uncommon but not necessarily bizarre. A "strange event" suggests something odd, mysterious, or difficult to explain.