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B1 noun #40 よく出る 12分で読める

incident

上位40

At the A1 level, you might not use the word 'incident' very often. Instead, you probably use simpler words like 'thing' or 'what happened'. However, it is good to know that 'incident' is a word for a specific event. Think of it as a 'story' or a 'moment' where something went wrong. For example, if you see a car crash, you can call it an incident. If someone loses their keys, that is also a small incident. At this level, just remember that an incident is something that happens, and it is usually not a happy thing. It is a more 'grown-up' way to talk about problems or events. You might see it on signs or hear it on the news. If you hear 'incident', just think 'something happened'.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'incident' to describe small problems in your life. It is a more precise word than 'thing'. You might use it when talking about your day or something you saw. For example, 'There was an incident at the bus stop today.' This tells the listener that something specific happened, and it probably wasn't part of the normal routine. You can also use it with simple adjectives like 'small' or 'bad'. 'It was a small incident, so I am okay.' At this level, you are learning that 'incident' is a useful word for reporting events to other people, like a teacher or a boss, in a clear and simple way.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'incident' in both speaking and writing. You understand that it refers to a specific occurrence, often one that causes a disturbance. You can use common collocations like 'minor incident', 'major incident', and 'without incident'. For example, 'The trip was long, but we arrived without incident.' You also recognize that 'incident' is more formal than 'accident' and can include things that were done on purpose. You might use it in a work email to describe a problem: 'I am writing to report an incident that occurred in the office this morning.' At this level, 'incident' becomes a key word for professional and clear communication about events.

At the B2 level, you understand the subtle nuances of 'incident'. You know that it is often used as a clinical or objective term to describe events that might be controversial or emotional. You can use it to maintain a neutral tone in your writing. You also understand the difference between 'incident' and 'incidence' and can use them correctly in academic or professional contexts. You might use 'incident' to describe diplomatic or political events: 'The border incident led to a temporary closure of the crossing.' You are also aware of how the word can be used to downplay the severity of an event, and you can recognize this usage in news reports or corporate statements.

At the C1 level, you use 'incident' with precision and sophistication. You are aware of its legal and technical implications. You might use it in complex sentences to describe the catalyst for a larger series of events: 'The incident, though seemingly minor at the time, proved to be the turning point in the negotiations.' You can also use more advanced collocations like 'isolated incident', 'critical incident', or 'incident-free'. You understand the rhetorical power of the word—how calling something an 'incident' rather than a 'crisis' can change how people perceive it. Your use of the word is natural and reflects a deep understanding of English register and tone.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'incident'. You can use it in highly specialized contexts, such as in legal briefs, philosophical discussions, or literary analysis. You understand its etymological roots and how they influence its modern usage. You can play with the word's connotations to achieve specific effects in your writing, perhaps using it ironically or to highlight the absurdity of a situation. You are also aware of the word's history in international law and diplomacy. Your use of 'incident' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, and you can navigate all its various meanings and registers with ease and confidence.

練習する例文メモとヒント

incident 30秒で

An incident is a specific event or occurrence, often one that is unexpected, unpleasant, or causes a disturbance in the normal flow of things.
It is a countable noun used in formal and neutral contexts, such as news reports, workplace safety documents, and legal or diplomatic discussions.
Commonly modified by adjectives like 'minor', 'major', or 'isolated', it helps to describe the scale and nature of a problem objectively.
The phrase 'without incident' is a very common way to say that something happened smoothly and without any problems or interruptions.

The word incident is a versatile noun that describes a specific event or occurrence. While it can technically refer to any happening, it is most frequently used to describe something that is unexpected, unpleasant, or disruptive. In everyday conversation, an incident is often a 'thing that happened' which requires attention, investigation, or explanation. It sits in a middle ground of formality; it is more formal than 'thing' or 'happening' but less technical than 'phenomenon.' When you hear someone mention an incident at work, they usually mean a mistake, a conflict, or a safety issue. In a broader societal context, the term is often used by officials, such as police or government spokespeople, to describe events like accidents, crimes, or diplomatic disagreements without immediately assigning blame or providing exhaustive detail.

Everyday Disruption: An incident can be as small as a spilled coffee during a meeting that causes a brief pause in the discussion.

The flight was delayed due to a minor technical incident on the runway.

Understanding the nuance of 'incident' involves recognizing its emotional neutrality. Unlike 'tragedy' or 'disaster,' which carry heavy emotional weight, 'incident' is a clinical term. It focuses on the fact that an event occurred rather than the feelings surrounding it. This is why it is the preferred term in journalism and law enforcement. If a protest turns violent, a reporter might refer to the 'clash' as an 'incident' to maintain a level of professional distance. However, for the people involved, the incident might have been quite traumatic. This gap between the clinical label and the lived experience is a key feature of how the word functions in English.

Legal and Official Use: In legal contexts, an incident refers to a specific violation or a set of circumstances that lead to a claim or a charge.

The security guards were praised for their quick response to the shoplifting incident.

Furthermore, 'incident' is often used to downplay the severity of an event. If a politician makes a mistake, their PR team might call it an 'unfortunate incident' to make it sound like a one-time occurrence rather than a pattern of behavior. This usage is common in corporate environments where 'incident reports' are standard procedure for everything from a slip-and-fall to a data breach. By categorizing these events as incidents, organizations can track them, analyze their causes, and implement measures to prevent them from happening again. It turns a chaotic event into a data point that can be managed.

The company issued a statement regarding the data incident that occurred last Tuesday.

Diplomatic Context: In international relations, a 'border incident' refers to a minor conflict between two countries that could potentially lead to war if not resolved.

The international community called for calm after the recent border incident.

There was an incident involving a fan during the second half of the game.

Using the word incident correctly requires an understanding of its typical grammatical patterns. As a countable noun, it almost always takes an article ('an incident', 'the incident') or a possessive adjective ('my incident', 'their incident'). It is frequently modified by adjectives that describe the scale or nature of the event. Common modifiers include 'minor', 'major', 'serious', 'isolated', 'unfortunate', and 'technical'. These adjectives help the listener understand exactly how much weight to give the event being described. For example, a 'minor incident' is usually something you can ignore after a few minutes, while a 'major incident' might require emergency services and a full investigation.

Scale Modifiers: Words like 'minor' or 'serious' are essential for providing context to the incident.

The police reported a serious incident on the highway involving three vehicles.

Another important way to use 'incident' is in the phrase 'without incident'. This is a common idiomatic expression used to say that a journey, event, or process happened smoothly and without any problems. It is often used in travel contexts or when describing the completion of a complex task. For instance, if a large group of people is moved from one location to another, a supervisor might report that the transfer was completed 'without incident'. This implies that there were no delays, accidents, or conflicts during the process. It is a professional way to say 'everything went fine'.

Describing the Nature: You can use nouns as adjectives to specify the type of incident, such as 'security incident' or 'traffic incident'.

The bank is investigating a security incident that took place overnight.

In more formal writing, 'incident' is often the subject of verbs like 'occurred', 'took place', 'happened', or 'transpired'. It can also be the object of verbs like 'report', 'investigate', 'witness', or 'recount'. When you are writing a formal report, you might say, 'The incident occurred at approximately 4:00 PM.' This sounds much more professional than saying, 'The thing happened at 4.' Additionally, 'incident' is often used with the preposition 'of', as in 'an incident of bullying' or 'an incident of fraud'. This structure allows you to name the specific type of behavior or event while maintaining a formal tone.

There have been several incidents of vandalism in the park recently.

Verbs Used with Incident: Verbs like 'sparked', 'triggered', or 'led to' are used to show the consequences of an incident.

The small incident sparked a nationwide debate on safety standards.

He was asked to provide a detailed account of the incident.

You will encounter the word incident in a wide variety of real-world settings, ranging from the evening news to corporate boardrooms. In the news, it is the standard term for describing events that are still being understood. A news anchor might say, 'We are receiving reports of an incident at the city center,' which tells the audience that something significant has happened without yet specifying if it was a fire, an accident, or a crime. This allows the news outlet to report quickly while remaining accurate. Similarly, in radio traffic reports, you will often hear about 'traffic incidents' causing delays, which is a catch-all term for accidents, stalled cars, or debris on the road.

News and Media: Journalists use 'incident' to describe events objectively before all the facts are known.

The news reported an incident involving a small plane at the local airport.

In the workplace, 'incident' is a key part of safety and management vocabulary. Most large companies have 'incident management' systems. If a server goes down, IT professionals treat it as an 'incident' that needs to be resolved. If an employee gets hurt, HR will file an 'incident report'. In these contexts, the word is not just a description; it is a trigger for a specific set of actions. Hearing the word 'incident' in a professional setting usually signals that something has gone wrong and that a process has been started to fix it. It is a word that demands a response and implies a level of seriousness and documentation.

Workplace Safety: Companies use 'incident reports' to document any event that could have caused harm or damage.

Please fill out an incident report if you witness any safety hazards in the warehouse.

You will also hear 'incident' used in public announcements, particularly in transportation. If you are on a train and there is a delay, the conductor might announce, 'We are currently held due to an incident ahead on the tracks.' This is often a polite way of avoiding more graphic or distressing details, such as a person on the tracks or a mechanical failure. In this way, 'incident' serves as a euphemism, providing enough information to explain a delay without causing unnecessary alarm or providing too much information to the public. It is a way of maintaining order and calm in public spaces.

The train was delayed by an incident at the next station.

Public Transportation: Conductors and pilots use 'incident' to explain delays without giving specific, potentially worrying details.

The captain informed us that the flight would be slightly delayed due to a minor incident during refueling.

The police are asking for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with the word incident is confusing it with the word 'accident'. While all accidents can be described as incidents, not all incidents are accidents. An 'accident' specifically implies that something happened by chance and was not intended. An 'incident', however, can be intentional. For example, if someone purposefully breaks a window, it is an incident, but it is definitely not an accident. Using 'accident' when you mean 'incident' can lead to misunderstandings, especially in legal or professional contexts where the question of intent is very important. Always use 'incident' if you are unsure whether the event was intentional or not.

Incident vs. Accident: An 'accident' is unintentional; an 'incident' can be either intentional or unintentional.

The fire was not an accident; it was a deliberate incident of arson.

Another frequent error is confusing 'incident' with 'incidence'. Although they look similar, they have very different meanings. 'Incident' refers to a single event, while 'incidence' refers to the rate or frequency at which something happens. For example, you would talk about the 'incidence of a disease' in a population, meaning how often it occurs. You would talk about an 'incident of a disease' if you were referring to one specific person getting sick. Confusing these two words can make your writing sound very unnatural. A good way to remember the difference is that 'incident' ends in '-ent' like 'event', and 'incidence' ends in '-ence' like 'frequency'.

Incident vs. Incidence: 'Incident' = one event; 'Incidence' = how often events happen.

The incidence of car thefts has decreased, but this specific incident is still worrying.

Learners also sometimes use 'incident' when 'event' would be more appropriate. While 'incident' usually implies something negative or disruptive, 'event' is much more general and can be positive. If you are talking about a wedding or a concert, you should call it an 'event', not an 'incident'. Calling a wedding an 'incident' might make people think something went wrong during the ceremony! Use 'event' for planned, positive, or neutral happenings, and save 'incident' for those unexpected or problematic moments that stand out from the normal flow of things.

The wedding was a beautiful event, despite a small incident with the cake.

Incident vs. Event: Use 'event' for planned or positive things; use 'incident' for unexpected or negative things.

The music festival was the biggest event of the summer, but there were a few minor incidents in the crowd.

The teacher handled the incident in the classroom with great patience.

To truly master the word incident, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and alternatives. Each of these words has a slightly different flavor and is used in different contexts. 'Occurrence' is a very close synonym but is more neutral and formal. It simply means something that happens. 'Event' is much broader and often refers to something planned or significant. 'Episode' is often used to describe one part of a longer series of events, especially something that is dramatic or unpleasant. For example, you might talk about a 'depressive episode' or an 'episode of violence'.

Incident vs. Occurrence: 'Occurrence' is more formal and neutral; 'incident' often implies a problem.

The rare occurrence of a solar eclipse drew thousands of spectators.

'Happenstance' and 'coincidence' are words used when something happens by chance. While an incident can be a coincidence, 'coincidence' specifically highlights the surprising nature of two things happening at the same time. 'Affair' is another interesting alternative, often used for a complicated or scandalous set of events, such as a 'political affair'. 'Circumstance' refers to the conditions or facts connected with an event rather than the event itself. Understanding these differences allows you to choose the word that most accurately conveys the meaning you intend.

Incident vs. Episode: 'Episode' suggests a period of time or one part of a sequence; 'incident' is a single point in time.

This was just one episode in a long-running dispute between the neighbors.

In a more informal setting, you might use words like 'mishap' or 'scrape'. A 'mishap' is a minor, often funny, accident. A 'scrape' is a small, difficult situation that you get into. These words are much less formal than 'incident' and are better suited for casual stories with friends. On the other end of the spectrum, 'catastrophe' or 'calamity' are used for extremely serious and damaging incidents. Choosing the right word is about matching the scale and the tone of the event you are describing. 'Incident' is the reliable, middle-of-the-road choice for most situations.

After a minor mishap with the directions, we finally found the restaurant.

Incident vs. Mishap: A 'mishap' is a small, unlucky, and often minor accident; an 'incident' is more formal and can be serious.

The whole affair was a major embarrassment for the government.

The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

How Formal Is It?

フォーマル

ニュートラル

カジュアル

Child friendly

スラング

豆知識

The root 'cadere' (to fall) is also the source of words like 'accident', 'cascade', and 'cadence'. All these words relate to something 'falling' or 'happening'.

発音ガイド

UK /ˈɪn.sɪ.dənt/

US /ˈɪn.sə.dənt/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: IN-ci-dent.

韻が合う語

evident resident president confident diffident dissident provident non-resident

よくある間違い

Putting the stress on the second syllable: in-CI-dent.
Confusing the ending with '-ance' (incidence).
Pronouncing the 'c' as a 'k' sound (inkident).
Making the 'i' in the second syllable too long (in-SEE-dent).
Dropping the 't' at the end (inciden).

難易度

読解 3/5

Common in news and formal writing, so it's important for intermediate readers.

ライティング 4/5

Requires understanding of collocations and the difference between 'incident' and 'accident'.

スピーキング 3/5

Useful for reporting problems or describing events clearly.

リスニング 3/5

Frequently heard in public announcements and news broadcasts.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

event happen problem accident report

次に学ぶ

incidence incidental occurrence circumstance consequence

上級

catalyst exacerbate manifestation seminal egregious

知っておくべき文法

Countable Nouns

I saw *an* incident. There were two *incidents*.

Noun as Adjective

We need to fill out an *incident* report.

Passive Voice

The incident *was reported* by a passerby.

Prepositional Phrases

The journey was completed *without incident*.

Adjective Placement

It was a *minor* incident.

レベル別の例文

There was an incident at school.

Il y a eu un incident à l'école.

Simple subject + verb + prepositional phrase.

It was a small incident.

C'était un petit incident.

Adjective 'small' modifying the noun 'incident'.

Tell me about the incident.

Raconte-moi l'incident.

Imperative sentence with a direct object.

The incident happened yesterday.

L'incident s'est produit hier.

Past tense of the verb 'happen'.

No one was hurt in the incident.

Personne n'a été blessé dans l'incident.

Passive voice 'was hurt'.

Is the incident over?

L'incident est-il terminé ?

Interrogative sentence with the adjective 'over'.

I saw the incident.

J'ai vu l'incident.

Simple past tense of 'see'.

This incident is a problem.

Cet incident est un problème.

Demonstrative adjective 'this' + noun + linking verb.

The police are looking into the incident.

La police enquête sur l'incident.

Phrasal verb 'look into' meaning 'investigate'.

It was just an unfortunate incident.

C'était juste un incident malheureux.

Adjective 'unfortunate' adding emotional context.

The incident caused a lot of trouble.

L'incident a causé beaucoup de problèmes.

Verb 'caused' showing the result of the incident.

We need to report the incident to the manager.

Nous devons signaler l'incident au responsable.

Infinitive 'to report' following the modal 'need to'.

The incident was caught on camera.

L'incident a été filmé.

Passive voice with the prepositional phrase 'on camera'.

He described the incident in detail.

Il a décrit l'incident en détail.

Prepositional phrase 'in detail' modifying the verb 'described'.

The incident took place in the park.

L'incident a eu lieu dans le parc.

Phrasal verb 'took place' meaning 'happened'.

There were no witnesses to the incident.

Il n'y avait aucun témoin de l'incident.

Negative existential 'there were no' + noun.

The journey was completed without incident.

Le voyage s'est achevé sans incident.

Idiomatic phrase 'without incident' meaning 'smoothly'.

The company is investigating a security incident.

L'entreprise enquête sur un incident de sécurité.

Compound noun 'security incident'.

This was an isolated incident and will not happen again.

C'était un incident isolé et cela ne se reproduira plus.

Adjective 'isolated' meaning it's a one-time event.

The incident sparked a heated debate.

L'incident a déclenché un débat animé.

Metaphorical use of 'sparked' to show a reaction.

She was deeply affected by the incident.

Elle a été profondément touchée par l'incident.

Adverb 'deeply' modifying the passive verb 'affected'.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 PM.

L'incident s'est produit vers 22h00.

Formal verb 'occurred' and adverb 'approximately'.

He gave a full account of the incident to the authorities.

Il a rendu compte intégralement de l'incident aux autorités.

Noun phrase 'full account of' meaning a detailed report.

The incident led to several changes in safety policy.

L'incident a entraîné plusieurs changements dans la politique de sécurité.

Verb 'led to' showing the long-term consequences.

The incident highlights the need for better security measures.

L'incident souligne la nécessité de meilleures mesures de sécurité.

Verb 'highlights' used to show the significance of the event.

They tried to downplay the incident to avoid bad publicity.

Ils ont essayé de minimiser l'incident pour éviter une mauvaise publicité.

Verb 'downplay' meaning to make something seem less important.

The incident was a clear violation of international law.

L'incident était une violation manifeste du droit international.

Noun 'violation' followed by the preposition 'of'.

The incident served as a wake-up call for the entire industry.

L'incident a servi de signal d'alarme pour toute l'industrie.

Idiomatic expression 'wake-up call'.

The incident was the result of a series of human errors.

L'incident était le résultat d'une série d'erreurs humaines.

Noun phrase 'series of' showing multiple causes.

The incident remains under investigation by the local police.

L'incident fait toujours l'objet d'une enquête de la part de la police locale.

Prepositional phrase 'under investigation'.

The incident caused widespread panic among the residents.

L'incident a provoqué une panique généralisée parmi les habitants.

Adjective 'widespread' modifying the noun 'panic'.

The incident was widely reported in the national media.

L'incident a été largement rapporté dans les médias nationaux.

Adverb 'widely' modifying the passive verb 'reported'.

The incident was the catalyst for a major political shift.

L'incident a été le catalyseur d'un changement politique majeur.

Noun 'catalyst' meaning something that causes a change.

The incident underscored the fragility of the peace agreement.

L'incident a souligné la fragilité de l'accord de paix.

Verb 'underscored' meaning to emphasize.

The incident was a stark reminder of the dangers of the job.

L'incident a été un rappel brutal des dangers du métier.

Adjective 'stark' meaning harsh or blunt.

The incident was meticulously documented by the observers.

L'incident a été méticuleusement documenté par les observateurs.

Adverb 'meticulously' showing great attention to detail.

The incident had far-reaching consequences for the community.

L'incident a eu des conséquences considérables pour la communauté.

Compound adjective 'far-reaching'.

The incident was characterized by a lack of communication.

L'incident a été caractérisé par un manque de communication.

Passive voice 'was characterized by'.

The incident was an unfortunate blemish on his otherwise perfect record.

L'incident était une tache malheureuse sur son dossier par ailleurs parfait.

Metaphorical use of 'blemish' to describe a mistake.

The incident was the culmination of months of tension.

L'incident était l'aboutissement de mois de tension.

Noun 'culmination' meaning the highest or final point.

The incident was an egregious breach of diplomatic protocol.

L'incident était une violation flagrante du protocole diplomatique.

Adjective 'egregious' meaning outstandingly bad.

The incident served to exacerbate existing social divisions.

L'incident a servi à exacerber les divisions sociales existantes.

Verb 'exacerbate' meaning to make a problem worse.

The incident was shrouded in mystery for many years.

L'incident est resté entouré de mystère pendant de nombreuses années.

Passive voice 'was shrouded in' meaning covered or hidden.

The incident was a poignant reminder of our shared humanity.

L'incident était un rappel poignant de notre humanité commune.

Adjective 'poignant' meaning evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.

The incident was the inevitable byproduct of a flawed system.

L'incident était le sous-produit inévitable d'un système défectueux.

Noun 'byproduct' meaning a secondary result.

The incident was an isolated occurrence in an otherwise stable period.

L'incident était un événement isolé dans une période par ailleurs stable.

Adverb 'otherwise' used to show a contrast.

The incident was a manifestation of deep-seated cultural anxieties.

L'incident était une manifestation d'angoisses culturelles profondes.

Noun 'manifestation' meaning a clear sign or symptom.

The incident was a seminal moment in the history of the movement.

L'incident a été un moment séminal dans l'histoire du mouvement.

Adjective 'seminal' meaning strongly influencing later developments.

よく使う組み合わせ

minor incident

major incident

isolated incident

unfortunate incident

security incident

incident report

without incident

critical incident

serious incident

incident management

よく使うフレーズ

report an incident

investigate an incident

witness an incident

describe an incident

an incident of...

the incident occurred

involved in an incident

sparked by an incident

a series of incidents

handle an incident

よく混同される語

incident vs accident

An accident is always unintentional; an incident can be intentional or unintentional.

incident vs incidence

Incident is a single event; incidence is the frequency or rate of events.

incident vs event

Event is a general term, often for positive or planned things; incident is more specific and often negative.

慣用句と表現

"without incident"

Happening smoothly and without any problems or trouble.

The long-awaited meeting took place without incident.

neutral

"incident-free"

Describing a period of time or an event where nothing went wrong.

We hope for an incident-free flight to London.

neutral

"a minor incident"

Often used as a euphemism to downplay a problem.

It was just a minor incident, nothing to worry about.

neutral

"a critical incident"

An event that is very serious and requires immediate action.

The hospital has a protocol for every critical incident.

formal

"an isolated incident"

An event that is not part of a larger pattern or trend.

The company claimed the data leak was an isolated incident.

formal

"the incident in question"

The specific event that is currently being discussed or investigated.

The incident in question occurred on the night of the 14th.

formal

"recount the incident"

To tell the story of what happened in detail.

She was asked to recount the incident to the jury.

formal

"aftermath of the incident"

The period of time and the consequences following an event.

In the aftermath of the incident, many people were afraid to leave their homes.

neutral

"sparked the incident"

The specific thing that caused the event to start.

A simple misunderstanding sparked the entire incident.

neutral

"a diplomatic incident"

An event that causes trouble between two or more countries.

The arrest of the ambassador's son nearly caused a diplomatic incident.

formal

間違えやすい

incident vs incidence

They look and sound very similar.

Incident refers to a single event (e.g., 'a security incident'). Incidence refers to the frequency of something (e.g., 'the incidence of flu').

The incidence of these incidents is increasing.

incident vs accident

Both describe things that happen unexpectedly.

An accident is always by chance and usually harmful. An incident is any specific event, which could be a crime, a conflict, or an accident.

The police are not sure if the fire was an accident or a deliberate incident.

incident vs occurrence

Both mean 'something that happens'.

Occurrence is more formal and neutral. Incident often implies a problem or something that needs attention.

A solar eclipse is a rare occurrence, but a car crash is a serious incident.

incident vs episode

Both can describe a single event in a series.

Episode often implies a longer duration or a dramatic part of a story. Incident is usually a shorter, more specific point in time.

The incident in the shop was just one episode in their long rivalry.

incident vs event

Both are nouns for things that happen.

Event is broader and often positive or planned (like a party). Incident is usually unplanned and often negative.

The wedding was a great event, but there was a small incident with the music.

文型パターン

There was an incident.

There was an incident at the park.

It was a [adjective] incident.

It was a small incident.

The [noun] was completed without incident.

The flight was completed without incident.

I need to report an incident of [noun].

I need to report an incident of theft.

The incident occurred at [time].

The incident occurred at midnight.

The incident highlights the need for [noun].

The incident highlights the need for better lighting.

The incident was the catalyst for [noun].

The incident was the catalyst for a new law.

The incident was a manifestation of [noun].

The incident was a manifestation of social unrest.

語族

名詞

動詞

形容詞

使い方

frequency

Very common in formal, professional, and journalistic English.

よくある間違い

The incidence happened at noon. → The incident happened at noon.
'Incidence' means frequency. 'Incident' means a single event.
It was a happy incident. → It was a happy event.
'Incident' usually implies something negative or disruptive.
The car incident was my fault. → The car accident was my fault.
If it was a crash by chance, 'accident' is more specific and common.
I witnessed many incident. → I witnessed many incidents.
'Incident' is a countable noun and needs the plural '-s' after 'many'.
The incident-free was great. → The journey was incident-free.
'Incident-free' is an adjective, not a noun. It must modify a noun.

ヒント

Be Specific

When reporting an incident, always try to include the 'who, what, where, and when' to make your account clear and useful.

Use Collocations

Learn common pairs like 'minor incident' or 'isolated incident' to sound more natural and professional.

Count Carefully

Remember that 'incident' is a countable noun, so you almost always need an article like 'a' or 'the'.

Maintain Neutrality

Use 'incident' when you want to describe a problem objectively without showing too much emotion.

Stress the First

Always put the emphasis on the first part of the word: IN-ci-dent.

Formal Reports

In formal writing, use the verb 'occurred' with 'incident' for a more professional tone.

Public Announcements

If you hear 'incident' on a train or plane, it usually means there's a problem that is being fixed.

Incident vs. Accident

Use 'incident' if you don't know if something was on purpose or not; it's the safer choice.

The 'Dent' Rule

Think of an incident as a 'dent' in your smooth day to remember it's usually a problem.

Smooth Sailing

Use 'without incident' to describe any process that went perfectly from start to finish.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of an 'IN-ci-dent' as something that 'falls IN' to your day and disrupts it. The 'dent' at the end is like a 'dent' in your car—it's a problem that needs fixing.

視覚的連想

Imagine a smooth, straight road representing your day. Suddenly, a small rock (the incident) falls onto the road, causing a little bump.

Word Web

event problem report police unexpected minor major isolated

チャレンジ

Try to use the word 'incident' three times today: once to describe a small problem, once in the phrase 'without incident', and once in a formal-sounding sentence.

語源

The word 'incident' comes from the Old French word 'incident', which in turn comes from the Latin 'incidens'.

元の意味： In Latin, 'incidens' is the present participle of 'incidere', which means 'to fall upon' or 'to happen'. It is a combination of 'in-' (into/upon) and 'cadere' (to fall).

It belongs to the Indo-European language family, specifically the Italic branch, which evolved into the Romance languages.

文化的な背景

Be careful when using 'incident' for very serious tragedies; sometimes it can sound too cold or uncaring. In those cases, 'tragedy' or 'disaster' might be more appropriate.

Used frequently in news, police reports, and corporate safety culture.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (a famous novel by Mark Haddon). The Gulf of Tonkin Incident (a major event in the history of the Vietnam War). The Roswell Incident (a famous event in UFO folklore).

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Workplace Safety

file an incident report
safety incident
near-miss incident
incident investigation

Public Transportation

delayed due to an incident
incident on the tracks
minor technical incident
travel without incident

News and Media

reports of an incident
incident at the scene
witnesses to the incident
isolated incident

Information Technology

incident management
security incident
data incident
resolve the incident

Law and Order

criminal incident
incident of assault
police incident
involved in an incident

会話のきっかけ

"Have you ever witnessed a strange incident while traveling?"

"What is the most memorable incident that has ever happened to you at work?"

"How do you think companies should handle a major security incident?"

"Do you think it's better to call a problem an 'incident' or an 'accident'?"

"Have you ever had a journey that was completely without incident?"

日記のテーマ

Describe a minor incident from your childhood that you still remember clearly today.

Write about a time when an incident at work or school taught you an important lesson.

Reflect on how the news uses the word 'incident' to describe complex or tragic events.

If you had to write an incident report for a mistake you made recently, what would it say?

Think about a time when a small incident led to a much bigger change in your life.

よくある質問

10 問

Not necessarily, but in common usage, it usually refers to something unexpected, unpleasant, or disruptive. While a neutral event can be called an incident, words like 'occurrence' or 'event' are more common for positive things.

An accident is always unintentional and usually involves damage or injury. An incident is a broader term for any specific event, and it can be intentional (like a crime) or unintentional (like an accident).

It would sound very strange. You should use 'event', 'occasion', or 'celebration' for happy things. Calling a party an 'incident' might make people think something went wrong!

It means that something happened smoothly, without any problems, delays, or trouble. It is a common way to describe a successful journey or process.

Yes, it is more formal than 'thing' or 'happening'. It is the standard word used in news reports, police documents, and professional settings.

You can use it as a countable noun: 'There was an incident.' You can also use it with adjectives: 'It was a minor incident.' Or in phrases: 'The journey passed without incident.'

It is a formal document used in workplaces or by the police to record the details of an event, especially one that involved a problem, injury, or security breach.

No, the plural of 'incident' is 'incidents'. 'Incidence' is a different word that means the frequency or rate at which something happens.

Common adjectives include 'minor', 'major', 'serious', 'isolated', 'unfortunate', 'security', and 'technical'.

No, 'incident' is only used as a noun in modern English. The related verb 'incide' is extremely rare and archaic.