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B2 noun #7,000 most common 10 min read

incidence

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips incidence in 30 Seconds

Explanation incidence in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'incidence' is too advanced. A1 learners focus on very basic words like 'often,' 'sometimes,' or 'many times.' Instead of 'incidence,' an A1 learner would say 'How many people are sick?' or 'It happens many times.' 'Incidence' is a word you will learn much later because it is used for talking about data and scientific facts. For now, just remember that if you see this word in a newspaper, it means 'how often something happens.' You don't need to use it in your own speaking yet. Focus on building your basic vocabulary first.

At the A2 level, you might start to see the word 'incidence' in simple news articles or health posters. It is a formal way to say 'frequency' or 'how many cases.' For example, if you see a poster that says 'The incidence of the flu is high in winter,' it means 'Many people get the flu in winter.' You don't need to use this word in your daily life, but it is good to recognize it. It usually comes with the word 'of' after it. If you want to sound more advanced, you can try to remember that it is about a group of people, not just one person.

At the B1 level, you should understand that 'incidence' is a professional word used to describe the rate of events. You might use it in a school report or a work presentation. It is more precise than 'frequency.' For instance, instead of saying 'There are many car accidents here,' you could say 'The incidence of car accidents in this area is high.' This makes your English sound more formal and serious. You should also be careful not to confuse 'incidence' with 'incident' (a single event). Remember: incidence = a rate or percentage; incident = one specific thing that happened.

At the B2 level, 'incidence' is a key word for academic and professional success. You are expected to use it correctly in essays and discussions about social issues, science, or business. You should understand the nuance that incidence refers to the number of *new* cases or occurrences within a specific timeframe. You should be able to use collocations like 'high incidence of,' 'rising incidence of,' and 'reduce the incidence of.' You should also recognize its specific uses in fields like physics (angle of incidence) or economics (tax incidence). This word helps you move from general descriptions to specific, data-oriented analysis.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced command of 'incidence.' You understand the technical distinction between 'incidence' and 'prevalence' in medical and sociological data. You can use the word fluidly in complex sentences, often as a subject that controls the tone of a paragraph. You are aware of its multi-disciplinary applications, from optics to fiscal policy. In your writing, you use 'incidence' to provide a sophisticated, objective perspective on trends. You can also handle the plural 'incidences' when referring to different types of rates or multiple specific statistical occurrences in a comparative study.

At the C2 level, 'incidence' is a tool for precision. You use it to describe the systemic frequency of phenomena with absolute clarity. You might use it in high-level research papers to discuss the 'incidence of poverty' or the 'incidence of a particular gene mutation' with full awareness of the statistical methodology behind the term. You can effortlessly navigate its use in various registers, from the highly technical language of a scientific journal to the persuasive rhetoric of a policy brief. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, allowing you to use it with a sense of authority and stylistic elegance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

incidence in 30 Seconds

Incidence measures how often something happens in a specific group over a set time.
It is a formal word used mostly in science, medicine, and statistics.
It specifically refers to the number of new cases or events, not total ones.
Common uses include health (disease rates), physics (light angles), and economics (tax burden).

The term incidence is a sophisticated noun primarily used to describe the frequency or rate at which something occurs. While it might seem like a simple synonym for 'occurrence' or 'frequency,' it carries a specific statistical weight, especially in scientific, medical, and social science contexts. In epidemiology, for instance, incidence refers specifically to the number of new cases of a condition that develop within a specific time period for a specific population. This distinguishes it from 'prevalence,' which counts all existing cases. When you hear a news report stating that the incidence of a certain virus is rising, they are telling you that more people are getting sick for the first time this week or month than they were previously. Beyond medicine, it is used in economics to describe the 'tax incidence'—who actually bears the burden of a tax—and in physics to describe the 'angle of incidence,' which is the angle at which a ray of light hits a surface. Understanding this word requires recognizing its role as a measuring tool for change and frequency over time.

Statistical Context: In statistics, incidence is the measure of the probability of occurrence of a given event in a population within a specified period of time. It is often expressed as a ratio or a percentage to allow for comparisons between different groups or eras.

Public health officials were alarmed by the sudden high incidence of respiratory infections among school-aged children during the winter months.

Economic Context: Tax incidence refers to the analysis of the effect of a particular tax on the distribution of economic welfare. It determines whether the producer or the consumer ultimately pays the tax through price adjustments.

The incidence of the new carbon tax fell heavily on the logistics industry, leading to higher shipping costs for all retail goods.

Physics Context: In optics, the 'angle of incidence' is the angle between a ray incident on a surface and the line perpendicular to that surface at the point of incidence. It is fundamental to the laws of reflection and refraction.

The scientist carefully adjusted the laser to ensure the angle of incidence was exactly forty-five degrees against the prism's surface.

There has been a significant incidence of cyber-attacks targeting small businesses over the last fiscal quarter.

Researchers noted that the incidence of heart disease varies significantly across different geographic regions due to dietary habits.

Using 'incidence' correctly requires understanding that it is almost always followed by the preposition 'of'. You are describing the incidence of something—a disease, an event, a behavior, or a physical phenomenon. It is frequently paired with adjectives that describe the level or change in that rate, such as 'high,' 'low,' 'rising,' 'falling,' 'increased,' or 'decreased.' In academic writing, you will often see it used as the subject of a sentence to introduce a statistical finding. For example, 'The incidence of poverty in rural areas has remained stagnant despite economic growth.' Here, 'incidence' acts as the anchor for the entire observation. It can also be used in more abstract ways, such as the 'incidence of light,' but in daily B2-level English, you will most likely encounter it in discussions about health, crime, or social issues. It is a formal word, so you would rarely use it in a casual text message to a friend, but it is essential for university essays, business reports, and news comprehension.

Health and Medicine: Commonly used to track the spread of diseases or the success of vaccinations. It provides a dynamic view of how a health situation is evolving.

The incidence of malaria has dropped by forty percent since the introduction of treated bed nets.

Crime and Sociology: Used to quantify social problems. It helps policymakers determine where to allocate resources based on the frequency of specific issues.

Community policing initiatives were designed to lower the incidence of petty theft in the downtown district.

Environmental Science: Used to describe the frequency of natural events or the impact of pollution on a specific ecosystem.

There is a direct correlation between rising sea temperatures and the increased incidence of severe hurricanes.

The incidence of school dropouts has been linked to a lack of extracurricular funding.

Engineers must calculate the incidence of structural failure under extreme pressure conditions.

You are most likely to encounter 'incidence' in professional and informative media. News broadcasters use it when discussing public health crises, such as the annual flu season or the spread of a new variant of a virus. In these reports, the word helps to convey a sense of objective, data-driven reality. You will also hear it in documentaries about social issues, where narrators use it to describe the frequency of things like unemployment, homelessness, or drug abuse. In a university setting, lecturers in biology, sociology, and economics will use 'incidence' constantly as a fundamental term of their disciplines. If you read the 'Terms and Conditions' or 'Safety Information' for a product, you might see 'incidence' used to describe the frequency of side effects or malfunctions. It is a word that signals a transition from anecdotal evidence ('I saw this happen once') to systemic analysis ('This happens at a rate of 5 per 1,000').

News Media: Used to report on trends and statistics affecting the general public, providing a more clinical tone to serious topics.

Breaking news: Health officials have reported a lower incidence of seasonal allergies this year due to the late spring.

Academic Lectures: Professors use it to define the scope of their research or to explain complex phenomena in controlled environments.

In today's lecture, we will examine the incidence of tectonic activity along the San Andreas Fault over the last century.

Corporate Reports: Used in annual reports to discuss risk management, safety records, and market penetration rates.

The company is proud to announce a zero incidence of workplace injuries during the construction of our new headquarters.

Legal experts are debating the incidence of copyright infringement in the age of generative artificial intelligence.

The incidence of light on the solar panels was maximized by tilting them toward the southern horizon.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 'incidence' is confusing it with 'incident.' An incident is a countable, discrete event (e.g., 'There was a strange incident at the park yesterday'). Incidence is an uncountable or collective noun referring to a rate or frequency (e.g., 'The incidence of crime is falling'). You cannot say 'I had an incidence yesterday' if you mean one event occurred. Another common error is confusing 'incidence' with 'prevalence.' In a medical context, prevalence is the total number of people who have a disease at a specific time, while incidence is the number of new cases. If a disease is chronic (lasts a long time), it might have a high prevalence but a low incidence. Conversely, a common cold has a high incidence (many people get it) but low prevalence (it doesn't last long, so not many people have it at any one specific moment). Finally, ensure you use the correct preposition; 'incidence' is almost always followed by 'of,' not 'for' or 'about.'

Incidence vs. Incident: Remember: 'Incident' = One time. 'Incidence' = How many times per year/population.

Incorrect: The incidence involving the two cars caused a traffic jam.
Correct: The incident involving the two cars caused a traffic jam.

Incidence vs. Prevalence: Incidence measures 'new' cases. Prevalence measures 'all' cases. This distinction is vital in healthcare and data science.

While the incidence of the flu is seasonal, the prevalence of chronic diabetes remains high year-round.

Preposition Errors: Always use 'of' to connect the word to the event being measured.

Incorrect: We are studying the incidence for cancer in this city.
Correct: We are studying the incidence of cancer in this city.

The incidence of errors in the software was significantly reduced by the latest patch.

A high incidence of light can damage sensitive historical documents in a museum.

Choosing between 'incidence' and its synonyms depends entirely on the level of formality and the specific data you are describing. 'Frequency' is the most common alternative and is suitable for almost any context, but it lacks the scientific rigor of 'incidence.' 'Rate' is also very common and often used interchangeably, though 'rate' often implies a mathematical calculation (e.g., cases per 100,000 people). 'Occurrence' is a broader term that can refer to either a single event or the frequency of many events, making it a safe choice if you are unsure. 'Prevalence,' as discussed, is a technical neighbor that should only be used when referring to the total number of cases at a given time. In physics, 'incidence' has no real synonym when referring to angles. In economics, 'burden' is sometimes used as a simpler alternative to 'tax incidence.' Using the right word shows your audience that you understand the nuances of the data you are presenting.

Incidence vs. Frequency: 'Frequency' is how often something happens in general. 'Incidence' is how often new things happen in a specific group.

Incidence vs. Rate: A 'rate' is a speed or a ratio. 'Incidence' is the specific rate of occurrence for events or conditions.

The incidence of the disease was low, but the death rate among those infected was unfortunately high.

Incidence vs. Occurrence: 'Occurrence' is the fact of something happening. 'Incidence' is the measurement of that fact over time.

The occurrence of a solar eclipse is rare, but the incidence of cloudy days in this region is quite high.

We must analyze the incidence of these symptoms to determine if there is a common cause.

A high incidence of positive feedback usually indicates a successful product launch.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is built from 'in-' (into/upon) and 'cadere' (to fall). So, literally, it means something 'falling into' a situation.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɪnsɪdəns/

US /ˈɪnsɪdəns/

First syllable (IN-ci-dence)

Rhymes With

coincidence confidence residence evidence precedence subsidence diffidence providence

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'incidents' (with a sharp 'ts' sound at the end).
Stressing the second syllable.
Confusing the 'i' sounds.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in news and textbooks, but requires understanding context.

Writing 5/5

Difficult to use correctly without confusing it with 'incident.'

Speaking 5/5

Mostly used in formal presentations or professional discussions.

Listening 4/5

Easy to hear, but can be confused with the plural 'incidents'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

frequency rate event occur measure

Learn Next

prevalence correlation causality epidemiology demographics

Advanced

tax incidence angle of incidence incidence density recidivism

Grammar to Know

Nouns followed by 'of'

The incidence of [something].

Uncountable vs. Countable

Incidence (rate) vs. Incidents (events).

Adjective + Noun Collocation

High/Low/Rising/Falling incidence.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The incidence of cases *is* (not are) rising.

Prepositional Phrases

At the point of incidence.

Examples by Level

The incidence of the flu is high this week.

How often people get the flu.

Incidence is used here as a noun meaning frequency.

We see a high incidence of rain in April.

It rains many times in April.

Used with 'of' to show what is happening often.

The incidence of errors is low.

There are not many mistakes.

Singular noun followed by 'of'.

Is the incidence of this problem common?

Does this problem happen many times?

Question form using 'incidence'.

Doctors look at the incidence of sickness.

Doctors see how many people are getting sick.

Object of the verb 'look at'.

The incidence of sun is high in summer.

It is sunny very often in summer.

Simple subject-verb-complement structure.

There is a low incidence of snow here.

It does not snow often here.

'There is' structure with 'low incidence'.

What is the incidence of this name?

How many people have this name?

Using 'incidence' for frequency of a word.

The incidence of car accidents is lower in the city.

Accidents happen less often in the city.

Comparative 'lower' used with incidence.

Health workers study the incidence of the virus.

They study how many new people get the virus.

Incidence as a technical term for rate.

The incidence of petty crime has increased lately.

Small crimes are happening more often now.

Present perfect 'has increased' with incidence.

A high incidence of allergies is expected this spring.

Many people will likely have allergies soon.

Passive voice 'is expected'.

We need to reduce the incidence of smoking among teens.

We need to make fewer teens smoke.

Infinitive 'to reduce' followed by incidence.

The incidence of power outages is rare in this town.

The electricity rarely goes out here.

Adjective 'rare' describing the incidence.

Is there a high incidence of heart disease in your family?

Do many people in your family have heart problems?

Interrogative sentence about family history.

The report shows a low incidence of unemployment.

The report says not many people are without jobs.

Incidence as the object of 'shows'.

The incidence of obesity has become a major public health concern.

The rate of people being overweight is a big problem.

Incidence used as a statistical subject.

Research indicates a higher incidence of depression in urban areas.

Studies show more people get depressed in cities.

Verb 'indicates' followed by the noun phrase.

The government is trying to lower the incidence of tax evasion.

The government wants fewer people to avoid paying taxes.

Abstract use of incidence in a legal context.

The incidence of certain cancers can be linked to environmental factors.

The rate of cancer might be caused by the environment.

Modal verb 'can be linked' showing correlation.

There has been a notable incidence of technical glitches during the launch.

There were many technical problems during the start.

Present perfect 'has been' with a descriptive adjective 'notable'.

The incidence of childhood asthma is rising in developed countries.

More children are getting asthma in rich countries.

Continuous tense 'is rising' used with incidence.

A low incidence of corruption is vital for a healthy economy.

It is important that there is not much corruption for the economy to be good.

Incidence as a prerequisite in a complex sentence.

Scientists are monitoring the incidence of seismic activity near the volcano.

Scientists are watching how often the ground shakes near the volcano.

Scientific context using 'monitoring'.

The tax incidence often falls on the consumer rather than the producer.

The burden of the tax is usually paid by the person buying the product.

Specific economic term 'tax incidence'.

We must calculate the angle of incidence to predict where the light will reflect.

We need to measure the angle the light hits the surface.

Scientific term 'angle of incidence'.

The high incidence of employee turnover suggests a problem with management.

The fact that many people quit shows management might be bad.

Using incidence to draw a logical conclusion.

There is a high incidence of antibiotic resistance in modern hospitals.

Many bacteria in hospitals cannot be killed by medicine anymore.

Medical context describing a systemic problem.

The study aims to determine the incidence of side effects for the new drug.

The study wants to find out how often the medicine causes problems.

Infinitive 'to determine' with incidence as the object.

Geographic location can significantly influence the incidence of certain diseases.

Where you live can change how often you get some illnesses.

Verb 'influence' showing causality.

The incidence of light on the sensor was insufficient to trigger the alarm.

Not enough light hit the sensor to make the alarm go off.

Physics context regarding light intensity.

Policymakers are concerned about the rising incidence of cyberbullying.

Leaders are worried that more people are being bullied online.

Social context with a present participle 'rising'.

The incidence of poverty is not merely a reflection of income, but of opportunity.

The rate of poverty shows more than just lack of money; it shows lack of chances.

Philosophical and sociological use of incidence.

A sharp increase in the incidence of wildfires has been attributed to climate change.

The fact that many more wildfires are happening is blamed on the climate.

Passive voice 'has been attributed to'.

The researchers noted a significant incidence of non-compliance among the test subjects.

The scientists saw that many people did not follow the rules of the test.

Formal academic reporting style.

The incidence of the tax was shifted to the labor market, resulting in lower wages.

The cost of the tax went to the workers, so they got less money.

Advanced economic analysis.

By adjusting the angle of incidence, the artist created a unique play of shadows.

By changing how the light hit the art, the artist made cool shadows.

Creative application of a technical term.

The incidence of domestic violence often remains hidden due to social stigma.

The rate of violence at home is often not reported because people are ashamed.

Sociological commentary on under-reporting.

There is a high incidence of co-morbidity among patients with chronic respiratory issues.

Patients with breathing problems often have other illnesses at the same time.

Highly technical medical terminology.

The incidence of light upon the retina is the first step in the process of vision.

Light hitting the back of the eye is how we start to see.

Biological and physical description.

The epidemiological study provided a granular look at the incidence of the pathogen across diverse demographics.

The study looked very closely at how the germ spread among different groups of people.

Sophisticated academic vocabulary like 'granular' and 'demographics'.

The fiscal incidence of the subsidy was found to benefit large corporations more than small farmers.

The actual benefit of the government money went to big companies, not small farms.

Complex economic term 'fiscal incidence'.

Critics argue that the high incidence of recidivism is an indictment of the current penal system.

Critics say the fact that many people go back to jail shows the prison system is failing.

Legal and social critique using 'recidivism' and 'indictment'.

The incidence of structural anomalies in the data set led to the rejection of the hypothesis.

The frequency of strange errors in the information meant the theory was wrong.

Data science and research methodology context.

The poem explores the incidence of grief in the lives of those left behind after the war.

The poem looks at how often and how deeply people feel sad after a war ends.

Literary analysis using incidence for abstract concepts.

A meticulous analysis of the incidence of light revealed subtle flaws in the diamond's cut.

A very careful look at how light hit the diamond showed small mistakes in how it was cut.

Technical precision in descriptive writing.

The incidence of cross-border skirmishes has threatened the stability of the entire region.

The frequent small fights at the border have made the whole area dangerous.

Geopolitical analysis.

We must consider the incidence of unintended consequences when implementing such a sweeping policy.

We have to think about the many bad things that might happen by accident if we change this big rule.

Strategic planning and risk assessment.

Synonyms

frequency rate occurrence prevalence extent proportion

Antonyms

rarity scarcity infrequency

Common Collocations

high incidence of

low incidence of

rising incidence of

reduce the incidence

angle of incidence

tax incidence

incidence rate

annual incidence

geographic incidence

incidence of light

Common Phrases

A high incidence of...

— Used to say that something happens very often or to many people.

A high incidence of rain is typical for this tropical island.

The incidence of the tax

— Who actually pays the cost of a tax in the end.

The incidence of the tax was passed on to the customers through higher prices.

Angle of incidence

— The angle at which a line or light hits a surface.

Adjust the mirror to change the angle of incidence.

Incidence and prevalence

— A phrase used in health to talk about new cases vs. total cases.

The report discussed both the incidence and prevalence of the virus.

Lower the incidence of

— To make something happen less often.

The new law aims to lower the incidence of drunk driving.

Reported incidence

— The number of cases that have been officially noted.

The reported incidence of the side effect was less than one percent.

Increased incidence

— When something starts happening more frequently than before.

Increased incidence of flooding is a sign of environmental change.

Incidence of poverty

— The percentage of people living below the poverty line.

The incidence of poverty is higher in rural communities.

Incidence of disease

— The rate at which people get a specific sickness.

The incidence of disease was reduced by better sanitation.

Point of incidence

— The exact spot where something hits a surface.

The point of incidence was marked with a red dot.

Often Confused With

incidence vs incident

An incident is a single event; incidence is a rate or frequency of events.

incidence vs prevalence

Prevalence is the total number of cases; incidence is only the number of new cases.

incidence vs coincidence

A coincidence is two things happening at once by chance; incidence is a measured rate.

Idioms & Expressions

"N/A"

— Incidence is a technical and formal word; it is not typically used in traditional idioms.

N/A

Easily Confused

incidence vs Incident

They sound similar and both relate to events.

Incident is a countable event (one time). Incidence is an uncountable rate (many times over a population).

The police reported a single incident of theft, but the overall incidence of crime is low.

incidence vs Prevalence

Both are used in statistics and health.

Prevalence is a snapshot of all cases. Incidence is a measure of how fast new cases are appearing.

The prevalence of the disease is high because people live a long time with it, but the incidence is low because few people get it now.

incidence vs Frequency

They have similar meanings.

Frequency is general. Incidence is technical and usually refers to new cases in a specific population.

The frequency of his calls is annoying, but the incidence of calls from telemarketers is a statistical trend.

incidence vs Rate

They are often used as synonyms.

Rate is a broader term (speed, price, frequency). Incidence is a specific type of rate for occurrences.

The heart rate is normal, but the incidence of heart attacks in the group is high.

incidence vs Occurrence

Both refer to things happening.

Occurrence can be a single event or a rate. Incidence is strictly about the rate or frequency of new events.

The occurrence of the comet was spectacular; the incidence of such sightings is once a century.

Sentence Patterns

The incidence of [Noun] has [Verb-ed] recently.

The incidence of flu has increased recently.

There is a [Adjective] incidence of [Noun] in [Location].

There is a high incidence of malaria in tropical regions.

The [Adjective] incidence of [Noun] is attributed to [Reason].

The rising incidence of obesity is attributed to poor diet.

Reducing the incidence of [Noun] requires [Action].

Reducing the incidence of crime requires better education.

The fiscal incidence of [Policy] falls disproportionately on [Group].

The fiscal incidence of the tax falls disproportionately on the poor.

A meticulous study of the incidence of [Phenomenon] reveals [Finding].

A meticulous study of the incidence of errors reveals a systemic flaw.

The angle of incidence is equal to [Value].

The angle of incidence is equal to thirty degrees.

We are looking at the incidence of [Noun].

We are looking at the incidence of errors.

Word Family

Nouns

incidence

incident

incidences

incidents

Verbs

incide (rare/archaic)

Adjectives

incidental

incident

coincidence

coincidental

prevalence

frequency

occurrence

How to Use It

frequency

Common in academic, medical, and professional writing; rare in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'incidence' for a single event. → Using 'incident' for a single event.
Incidence refers to a rate or frequency, not a one-time occurrence.
Confusing 'incidence' with 'prevalence'. → Using 'incidence' for new cases and 'prevalence' for total cases.
In medicine, these have very different meanings and using the wrong one can change the data completely.
Saying 'incidence for' instead of 'incidence of'. → The incidence of the disease.
'Of' is the standard preposition used with this noun.
Pronouncing 'incidence' and 'incidents' the same way. → Incidence ends in /əns/, incidents ends in /ənts/.
The 't' in incidents is subtle but important to distinguish the plural 'events' from the singular 'rate'.
Using 'incidence' in a casual text message. → Using 'how often' or 'rate' in casual settings.
The word is too formal for everyday conversation and can sound strange in a casual context.

Tips

Use with 'of'

Always follow 'incidence' with the preposition 'of' when describing what is happening. For example: 'incidence of disease' or 'incidence of light.'

Singular vs Plural

Treat 'incidence' as a singular noun when talking about a general rate. 'The incidence is rising' is correct, even if many people are involved.

Sound Professional

Replace 'how often people get sick' with 'the incidence of illness' to instantly make your academic writing sound more professional.

Medical Accuracy

If you are writing about health, remember that incidence only counts NEW cases. If you mean everyone who has it now, use 'prevalence.'

Light and Mirrors

In science, remember the rule: the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. This is the most common use of the word in physics.

Tax Burden

When discussing taxes, use 'incidence' to talk about who is really losing money, not just who is writing the check to the government.

Avoid 'Incident'

If you can count it on your fingers (1, 2, 3 events), use 'incident.' If you need a graph or a percentage, use 'incidence.'

Vary Your Words

In a long essay, you can switch between 'incidence,' 'rate,' and 'frequency' to keep your writing interesting, but keep 'incidence' for the most technical parts.

Clear Ending

Make sure to end the word with a soft 's' sound. If you add a 't' sound (incidents), people will think you are talking about specific events.

Check the Y-Axis

When looking at data charts, the word 'incidence' is often found on the vertical axis to show the rate of occurrence over time.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'IN-cidence' as how many things are coming 'IN' as new cases. 'IN' = New cases arriving.

Visual Association

Imagine a faucet dripping into a bucket. Each new drip is an 'incidence.' The water already in the bucket is the 'prevalence.'

Word Web

Incidence Rate Frequency New cases Statistics Epidemiology Angle Tax

Challenge

Write three sentences: one about a disease, one about an angle, and one about a tax, all using the word 'incidence'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'incidentia', which is the neuter plural of 'incidens', the present participle of 'incidere'.

Original meaning: To fall upon, happen, or occur.

Latin / Old French

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing the 'incidence' of sensitive topics like crime or mental health, as the word can sound very clinical and detached from the human experience.

The word is widely used in high-level journalism like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.

World Health Organization (WHO) Incidence Reports The Law of Reflection (Angle of Incidence) The Incidence of Poverty (World Bank reports)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Public Health

incidence of disease
new cases
outbreak incidence
vaccination impact

Physics/Optics

angle of incidence
incident ray
point of incidence
reflection angle

Economics

tax incidence
burden of tax
fiscal incidence
consumer incidence

Social Science

incidence of poverty
crime incidence
unemployment rate
divorce incidence

Technology

incidence of errors
system failure incidence
data incidence
cyber-attack frequency

Conversation Starters

"Have you noticed a higher incidence of allergies in the city lately?"

"The incidence of remote work has changed how we think about office space, don't you think?"

"Do you think the incidence of social media use is affecting our attention spans?"

"The report shows a low incidence of crime in this neighborhood, which is reassuring."

"In your field of work, what is the incidence of technical issues on a daily basis?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you noticed a high incidence of a particular behavior in your community.

Reflect on how the incidence of digital technology has changed your daily habits over the last five years.

If you could lower the incidence of one global problem, which would it be and why?

Write about the incidence of positive moments in your week compared to stressful ones.

Analyze the incidence of success in your recent projects: what factors made some more frequent than others?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

An incident is one specific event (e.g., 'a strange incident'). Incidence is the rate at which events happen (e.g., 'the incidence of crime'). You cannot use them interchangeably in most contexts.

You use it to describe new cases. For example: 'The incidence of the virus has decreased since the vaccine was released.' This means fewer new people are getting sick.

Yes, but it is rare. It is used when comparing different types of rates or multiple statistical frequencies. Usually, 'incidence' is used as an uncountable noun for the general rate.

It is an economic term that describes who actually pays the burden of a tax. For example, if a tax is put on companies but they raise prices, the 'tax incidence' falls on the customers.

In physics, it is the angle at which a ray of light or a wave hits a surface. It is measured from a line perpendicular to that surface.

It is very formal. You will find it in textbooks, news reports, and academic papers. In casual talk, people usually say 'how often' or 'rate.'

Common adjectives include high, low, rising, falling, significant, marginal, annual, and geographic.

It helps researchers understand how fast a problem is spreading or how often a specific event occurs, which allows for better planning and resource allocation.

They are close, but incidence is more technical. It specifically looks at new occurrences in a defined population and time, whereas frequency is more general.

It is pronounced IN-si-dence. The stress is on the first part. Be careful not to say 'incidents' at the end.