Incident vs Incidence
What’s the difference between them?
Incident
Meaning:
An incident is an event or occurrence that happens, especially one of a specified kind or that has already taken place.
Examples:
1. The incident happened while the boy was walking home from school.
2. The police are investigating the incident.
3. The news reported on the incident.
Incidence
Meaning:
The rate at which something occurs, especially something undesirable such as a disease or accident.
Examples:
1. The incidence of skin cancer in young adults has been increasing in recent years.
2. The incidence of ADHD among children has been steadily increasing since the 1990s.
3. The incidence of influenza in the elderly population is higher than other age groups.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Incident
1. Occurrence
2. Event
3. Affair
4. Episode
5. Happening
6. Episode of drama
1. Innocuous
2. Uneventful
3. Calm
4. Unremarkable
5. No occurrence
Incidence
1. Frequency
2. Prevalence
3. Occurrence
4. Rate
5. Manifestation
1. Rarity
2. Absence
3. Unhappening
4. Infrequency
5. Non-occurrence
6. Negligibility
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Incident", "Incidence".
1. Mnemonic. 'Incident' rhymes with 'accident,' and 'incidence' rhymes with 'resistance.'
2. An 'incident' is a particular event or occurrence; for example, a police incident.
3. An 'incidence' is a rate or frequency of occurrence; for example, the incidence of crime.
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Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word 'incident' be used?
Incident is typically used to describe a single event or occurrence, usually involving some kind of action or consequence. It is often used to refer to an event that has had a negative outcome, such as an accident or crime, but can also be used to refer to a positive event. For example, 'The incident of the car crash was reported to the police.'
When is the appropriate context for using the second word 'incidence'?
Incidence is generally used to describe the rate or frequency of an occurrence. It is often used to refer to the rate of a scientific, medical, or statistical finding. For example, 'The incidence of cancer in this region is relatively low.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. Incident is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable (in-sih-dent) whereas incidence is pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable (in-sih-duhns).
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One of the most common mistakes people make when using these words is confusing the two, as they sound quite similar. Additionally, people will often incorrectly use incidence when they should be using incident, or vice versFor example, 'The incidence of the car crash was reported to the police.' should instead be 'The incident of the car crash was reported to the police.'
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The police are closely monitoring the __________ of gang violence in the city.
2. The __________ of the fire was thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.
3. During the storm, the __________ of fallen trees was significant.
4. The __________ of the disease has decreased dramatically over the past five years.
5. The __________ of reported burglaries in the area has risen sharply in the past month.
6. The authorities have launched an investigation into the __________.
1. The police are closely monitoring the incidence of gang violence in the city.
Explanation: Incidence is used to refer to the occurrence or rate of occurrence of something. In this case, the police are monitoring the rate of gang violence in the city, so the word incidence is the appropriate choice.
2. The incident of the fire was thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Explanation: Incident is used to refer to a single occurrence or event. In this case, the sentence is referring to a single event, the fire, so the word incident is the appropriate choice.
3. During the storm, the incidence of fallen trees was significant.
Explanation: Incidence is used to refer to the occurrence or rate of occurrence of something. In this case, the sentence is referring to the rate of fallen trees during the storm, so the word incidence is the appropriate choice.
4. The incidence of the disease has decreased dramatically over the past five years.
Explanation: Incidence is used to refer to the occurrence or rate of occurrence of something. In this case, the sentence is referring to the rate of the disease over the past five years, so the word incidence is the appropriate choice.
5. The incidence of reported burglaries in the area has risen sharply in the past month.
Explanation: incidence is used to refer to a frequency. In this case, the sentence is referring to the number of reported burglaries in the area, so the word incidence is the appropriate choice.
6. The authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Explanation: Incident is used to refer to a single occurrence or event. In this case, the sentence is referring to a single event, the investigation, so the word incident is the appropriate choice.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.