What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
phenomenon
Example
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that can be seen in certain parts of the world. [phenomenon: noun]
Example
The sudden increase in crime rates is a phenomenon that requires further investigation. [phenomenon: noun]
incident
Example
There was an incident on the highway that caused a traffic jam. [incident: noun]
Example
He had an incident with his boss that led to his resignation. [incident: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Incident is more commonly used than phenomenon in everyday language. Incident is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while phenomenon is less common and often used in academic or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between phenomenon and incident?
While phenomenon is typically associated with a formal and academic tone, incident is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
