Fortuitous coincidences

USAGE SUMMARY

"fortuitous coincidences" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe unexpected events that happen to coincide in a fortunate way. For example: "Their meeting was a series of fortuitous coincidences that led to a lasting friendship." Alternative expressions include "happy accidents" and "serendipitous events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In 2008, though, there was a wild and un-Republican scramble for the nomination, and the original front-runner, John McCain, only emerged as the winner through a series of fortuitous coincidences.

The New York Times

On this, Her doubly-dedicated day, let us consider what fortuitous coincidences constitute our fate.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Through the application of these conditions, a fortuitous coincidence arises.

Chemical Engineering Science

There was a fortuitous coincidence between changes the U.S. was making and local political changes.

Princeton University

Is it divine intervention or just a fortuitous coincidence that congressional defense of federal whistleblowers comes as the two-week-old Trump administration is making government employees nervous?

The Washington Post

The authors note that, in Japan, stick insects produce eggs during the same season that Japanese brown-eared bulbuls migrate en masse a fortuitous coincidence.

The New Yorker

"It's a fortuitous coincidence that the launch of Destiny will bring us over the million mark," said Fergal Gara, managing director of Sony Computer Entertainment UK. "If you reflect back to last year, we announced PS4 and Destiny at the same time".

The Guardian - Tech

The very wrinkles that the architects of such codes seek to eliminate — points of semantic overlap and convergence, fortuitous coincidence of sound in words with different meanings — provide grist for the conversationalist's mill, leaving room for playful misdirection, innuendos, hesitations, and all the ploys that make social interaction entertaining and rewarding.

The New Yorker

But Curry gave himself away as an artist of impossible loyalties to the past and specious loyalties to the present when he introduced the pair of doves circling by fortuitous coincidence in the rays of Kansas light like the dove of the Holy Spirit generating divine radiance in Italian Renaissance paintings of the Baptism of Christ.

The New York Times

Because nanotechnology is at the intersection of biology, chemistry, electronics, physics, and engineering (among many other disciplines), it was a fortuitous coincidence that the quietest location on campus in terms of vibration turned out to be close to the center of campus as well.

MIT Technology Review

"Smartphones have been getting better and better, and the fortuitous coincidence is that their optical elements are so small, in fact smaller than a pupil", explains Dr Iain Livingstone, a paediatric ophthalmologist at Peekvision, the UK-based organisation behind the technology.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for more formal tone, prefer "fortuitous coincidences" over simpler alternatives like "lucky breaks".

Common error

Avoid using "fortuitous coincidences" in very casual or informal settings where simpler terms like "lucky breaks" or "happy accidents" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortuitous coincidences" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes events that unexpectedly align in a beneficial manner. Ludwig shows examples in news and opinion pieces.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fortuitous coincidences" describes unexpectedly beneficial events that align favorably. Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase, while grammatically correct, appears relatively infrequently, primarily in news and scientific contexts. Alternatives include "serendipitous events" and "lucky breaks". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the formality of your writing. While usage in the news and scientific domains is verified, remember that simpler alternatives are often more suitable in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Serendipitous events

Emphasizes the accidental discovery aspect, highlighting the pleasant surprise of the event.

Lucky breaks

Focuses on the element of luck and sudden advantage.

Happy accidents

Highlights the unintended and positive nature of the events.

Providential occurrences

Suggests a divine or fate-driven element behind the events.

Fortunate happenstances

Maintains a similar level of formality while replacing "coincidences" with "happenstances".

Favorable conjunctions

Emphasizes the alignment or coming together of beneficial elements.

Beneficial synchronicities

Highlights the meaningful connections between seemingly unrelated events.

Propitious circumstances

Focuses on the favorability and advantageous nature of the situation.

A stroke of luck

Highlights a single, impactful instance of good fortune.

A piece of good luck

Similar to "a stroke of luck" but perhaps implying a less dramatic event.

FAQs

How can "fortuitous coincidences" be used in a sentence?

You can use "fortuitous coincidences" to describe events that unexpectedly align in a beneficial manner. For instance, "Their meeting was a result of several "fortuitous coincidences" that ultimately led to a successful partnership."

What are some alternatives to "fortuitous coincidences"?

Alternatives include "serendipitous events", "lucky breaks", or "happy accidents", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fortuitous coincidence" singular correct, or should I always use the plural "fortuitous coincidences"?

Both are correct. "Fortuitous coincidence" refers to a single lucky instance, while "fortuitous coincidences" refers to multiple instances.

What is the difference between "fortuitous coincidences" and "planned events"?

"Fortuitous coincidences" are unplanned and unexpected beneficial events. "Planned events", on the other hand, are deliberately organized and anticipated occurrences. A series of "fortuitous coincidences" implies chance and good luck, whereas planned events imply intention and strategy.