A chance occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A chance occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happens unexpectedly or without planning. Example: "Winning the lottery was a chance occurrence that changed his life forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

A chance occurrence may have hastened his arrest: A New York City police detective, hearing from F.B.I. agents around 2006 about the grisly murders and dismembering of two women in Albania, alerted Interpol to the similarities.

The New York Times

A chance occurrence – that would presumably delight Spemann – was reported by a lab at the University of Haifa in Israel – a two-headed salamander (see image below).

BBC

A chance occurrence would be another explanation for the presence of mucosal atrophy with CC in our patient.

BMC Gastroenterology

"The good thing about its size is that it's probably more than just a chance occurrence," Dr. Barlow said.

The New York Times

Because that market-beating percentage is so much higher than for other newsletters, the sector-rotation newsletters' success is unlikely to be a chance occurrence.

The New York Times

You can assume that a chance occurrence like sporadic C.J.D. will happen at a steady rate over vast periods of time and among large populations.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

In this model, the first phase was labelled the initiative and design phase, where a new chance occurrence initiated a new cooperative arrangement or a current arrangement is intensified.

BMC Health Services Research

The kappa can assume values between −1 and 1; 0 shows a complete chance occurrence and −1 or 1 show a completely determined occurrence.

British Journal of Cancer

Still, the data show a consistent pattern of effects across all behavioral measures that seems an unlikely chance occurrence.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Now contemplate the idea that the entire history of humanity, along with that of all other monkeys, came about through a similar chance occurrence--a group of ancient primates making an unlikely rafting journey across the Tethys Sea.

Huffington Post

I don't like to give these shoots too much prior thought though, and there is a lot of chance occurrence, but generally I come up with a classic, celebrated, home movie event - like a birthday party or a walk in the snow.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "A chance occurrence" to describe events that lack a clear cause or were not planned. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid attributing significance to an event described as "a chance occurrence". Over-analyzing such occurrences can lead to false conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "A chance occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an event or situation that arises unexpectedly, without planning or intention. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "A chance occurrence" is a common noun phrase used to describe an unplanned or unexpected event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related discussions. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "a random event" or "a coincidental event" for specific nuances. Remember to avoid over-interpreting events described as "a chance occurrence" to prevent drawing inaccurate conclusions. Based on the frequency data, it's found most often in Science and News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A random event

This alternative replaces "chance" with "random", emphasizing the lack of predictability.

A coincidental event

This alternative uses "coincidental" to highlight the unplanned simultaneous nature of the event.

An accidental happening

Using "accidental happening" stresses the unintentional aspect of the event.

A fluke

This is a shorter, more informal way to describe a chance occurrence.

A stroke of luck

This alternative emphasizes the positive or fortunate aspect of a chance occurrence.

A fortunate accident

Highlights both the unplanned and beneficial aspects of the occurrence.

A haphazard incident

Using "haphazard" indicates a lack of planning or order.

An unexpected incident

Emphasizes the surprise element of the occurrence.

A serendipitous event

This alternative indicates that the chance occurrence led to a beneficial discovery.

A one-off event

This phrase suggests that the occurrence is unique and unlikely to repeat.

FAQs

How can I use "A chance occurrence" in a sentence?

You can use "A chance occurrence" to describe an event that happened unexpectedly. For example: "The discovery of the new drug was "a chance occurrence" that revolutionized medicine".

What are some alternatives to "A chance occurrence"?

Alternatives include "a random event", "a coincidental event", or "an accidental happening". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "chance occurrence" a formal or informal phrase?

"Chance occurrence" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, more formal alternatives like "coincidental event" may be preferred in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "A chance occurrence" and "A deliberate action"?

"A chance occurrence" refers to an unplanned, random event, while "a deliberate action" signifies an action that was carefully planned and executed. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of intent and causality.