Jane Smith (Editor)
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Fiction & children's books
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books
  • Prices
  • Contact
  • Writing tips
  • Resources
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Fiction & children's books
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books
  • Prices
  • Contact
  • Writing tips
  • Resources
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

10/22/2020 0 Comments

Writing tip #25: Frequently confused words - incident/incidence/instance

Misuse of the word ‘incidence’ is becoming so common that I think it’ll be one of those words that will change its meaning over time. But we’re not there yet, so I’ll take this moment to unravel the confusion.

An incident is an episode or an event. The incidence of something is the rate or extent of its occurrence. An instance is a case or example. For instance [that was deliberate, FYI], a car accident is an incident, whereas the incidence of car accidents refers to the rate or number of car accidents in a place and/or time. And if we’re talking about speed as a cause of car accidents, we might describe a particular car accident as an instance in which speed was a factor.

I recently read in an author’s note (in a published novel) that ‘all the incidences in this book really happened’. No! She meant ‘incidents’. Clearly the editor didn’t get to check the author’s note!

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    About this blog

    ​Through my experience as an editor, a reader and a book reviewer, I’ve noticed that some writing faults keep just popping up again and again. As an author, I’m especially aware of those writing crimes that I’m frequently tempted to commit myself. This series of brief tips addresses the common writing problems that I’ve encountered. Following them will help make your writing clear, accurate and stylish.  

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.