Providentially

USAGE SUMMARY

"Providentially" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe events that occur as if by divine intervention or fate. Example: "Providentially, they found shelter just before the storm hit." Alternative expressions include "by chance" and "serendipitously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

After being ordained a minister, serving a prison term because of a naive misunderstanding, and unwittingly entering into a bigamous marriage with the family's sluttish servant girl, Ernest providentially inherits enough money from a favourite aunt to change his life and become a writer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Providentially, they have today the privilege and the duty of guarding our religious and moral inheritance, and our legacy of order and justice and freedom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As will the visit of Mr Biden, who providentially attended the American team's game on the previous evening, which passed without incident.

Independent

Garment followed Nixon to Washington, where he became what the speechwriter, and later columnist, William Safire called the "resident liberal conscience" at the White House, focussing on issues like the arts, desegregation and human rights but, perhaps providentially, having few direct dealings with the boss.

Independent

Providentially, several thousand items due for relocation to the new library were being kept in the Malian capital, Bamako.

Independent

Miraculously, providentially, the cashmere coat was his size.

The New Yorker

The option of enlisting as an officer and joining the bulk of his generation in the graveyards of the Great War had been providentially removed by his affliction.

The New Yorker

When the tape ended, he turned off the engine and poured some Scotch into an apple-juice container to store providentially beneath the car seat.

The New Yorker

They mean the classic difficulty of how we justify the existence of suffering and iniquity with belief in a God who created us, who loves us, and who providentially manages the world.

The New Yorker

Drinking, fornication, shopping, and vulgar entertainment were the chief pursuits of a morally bankrupt society sunk in jahiliyyah, the condition of ignorance, barbarism, and chaos from which the Arabs were providentially rescued by the gift of the Koran.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Palestinian leader made the most of his--providentially timed--visit to Washington on March 3rd, getting Bill Clinton to edge unusually close to criticising Israel: "I think [Har Homa]", said the president in rebuke, "builds mistrust".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Providentially" when you want to emphasize that a positive outcome seems guided by fate, destiny, or divine intervention. It adds a layer of meaning beyond simple good luck.

Common error

Avoid using "Providentially" in contexts where a secular explanation is more appropriate or where the implication of divine intervention is not intended. Using "Fortunately" or "Luckily" are more suitable alternatives in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "Providentially" functions primarily as a manner adverb, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate how an action occurred. It conveys that an event happened as if divinely ordained or particularly fortunate. Ludwig AI confirms this usage aligns with standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Providentially" is a grammatically sound adverb used to express that an event occurred as if by divine intervention or fortunate timing. According to Ludwig AI, this usage aligns with standard English. While versatile, "Providentially" is most frequently encountered in news and media and scientific writing. It conveys a sense of fate or destiny and should be used thoughtfully, considering its theological undertones. While acceptable in formal contexts, it should be used sparingly in informal speech. Alternatives such as "fortunately" or "serendipitously" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fortunately

Replaces the theological overtone with a general sense of good luck.

Serendipitously

Focuses on the happy accident or unexpected discovery.

By good fortune

Emphasizes the role of luck in a positive outcome.

By a happy coincidence

Stresses the fortunate concurrence of events.

By a stroke of luck

Implies a sudden and significant positive event.

As luck would have it

Highlights the element of chance or coincidence.

Auspiciously

Suggests favorable conditions or a promising start.

Happily

Offers a simple and direct expression of a positive outcome.

Mercifully

Implies a sense of relief or reprieve from a difficult situation.

It so happened that

Presents the event as a matter of chance occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "Providentially" in a sentence?

"Providentially" is used to indicate that something happened as if by divine intervention or good fortune. For example, "Providentially, they found shelter just before the storm hit."

What are some alternatives to saying "Providentially"?

You can use alternatives like "fortunately", "serendipitously", or "luckily" depending on the context.

What does "Providentially timed" mean?

"Providentially timed" suggests that an event occurred at an especially opportune or fortunate moment, as if planned by a higher power or fate. The Palestinian leader made the most of his--providentially timed--visit to Washington.

Is it appropriate to use "Providentially" in formal writing?

Yes, "Providentially" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to convey a sense of divine intervention or fortunate timing. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece, as it carries a specific connotation that might not always be suitable.