Occurrence vs What happened here was a miracle

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Occurrence

Top 2,000 (common)C1noun

What happened here was a miracle

Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Occurrence
 OccurrenceWhat happened here was a miracle
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/əˈkʌrəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɜːrəns/"]/🇬🇧 //ˈmɪr.ə.kəl//🇺🇸 //ˈmɪr.ə.kəl//
MeaningThe way something happens or appears.An amazing event that seems impossible.
Examplea **common/everyday/frequent/regular occurrence**What happened here was a miracle, as everyone survived the accident.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 3,000 (common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationscommon, everyday, widespread, prevent, reduce, increase, occurrence in, occurrence of, a common occurrence, a regular occurrence, a daily occurrence, common, everyday, widespread, prevent, reduce, increase, occurrence in, occurrence of, a common occurrence, a regular occurrence, a daily occurrencemiracle of birth, miracle worker, a miracle occurs, miracle healing, miracle cure
Antonymsabsence, nonexistence-
Common mistakesConfusing with 'occurring' as a noun., Omitting 'of' when saying 'the occurrence you mentioned'., Using 'occurrence' without context (it needs to relate to something).Using 'miracle' for minor positive events like good luck., Confusing 'miracle' with 'magic' or 'fantasy' events., Overusing 'miracle' in non-emotional contexts.
Usage notesOften used in both spoken and written contexts. Common in scientific, academic, or formal discussions. Avoid in casual conversation where simpler words may suffice.Use 'miracle' to describe extraordinary events, often in religious or uplifting contexts. Avoid in everyday situations unless emphasizing surprising positive outcomes.

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Occurrence
What happened here was a miracle

Frequently asked questions: Occurrence vs What happened here was a miracle

What's the difference between Occurrence and What happened here was a miracle?

Occurrence: The way something happens or appears. What happened here was a miracle: An amazing event that seems impossible.

Which is more common: Occurrence and What happened here was a miracle?

Occurrence is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Occurrence: a **common/everyday/frequent/regular occurrence** What happened here was a miracle: What happened here was a miracle, as everyone survived the accident.

Can I use Occurrence and What happened here was a miracle interchangeably?

Not always. Occurrence and What happened here was a miracle are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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