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annual event — yearly occasion

collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon

An activity, celebration, or gathering that happens once every year, often at the same time.

Say it like a native

Textbook The festival is an occasion that takes place one time every year.

Native The festival is an annual event.

'Annual event' says 'once a year' in two words.

Pattern: an/the annual event (of something)

In use

  • The school holds an annual event to celebrate the end of the academic year.daily life
  • One annual event I always look forward to is the city marathon, because it brings the whole community together.IELTS speaking

Common mistake

✗ It's an annual event that happens every year.

✓ It's an annual event. / It happens every year.

'Annual' already means 'every year' — saying both is redundant.

Common collocations

  • an annual event — become, hold, major, now an

Don't confuse it

Do not confuse with 'regular event,' which could happen more than once a year.

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