What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incident
Example
The police were called to investigate the incident at the bank. [incident: noun]
Example
She had an incident with her car on the way to work this morning. [incident: noun]
occurrence
Example
The occurrence of earthquakes in this region is not uncommon. [occurrence: noun]
Example
It's a rare occurrence for him to be late to work. [occurrence: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Occurrence is more commonly used than incident in everyday language. Occurrence is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while incident is more specific and often used in the context of accidents, emergencies, or conflicts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incident and occurrence?
Both incident and occurrence can be used in formal or informal contexts, but incident is often associated with a more formal tone due to its association with emergencies or conflicts.
