a chance encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

"a chance encounter" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe an unexpected meeting or interaction with someone or something. Example: During my trip to Paris, I had a chance encounter with an old classmate at a cafe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A chance encounter at a Citarella.

The New York Times

Someone you met on a chance encounter?

The Guardian

It changed through a chance encounter.

The Guardian

Months later, he had a chance encounter with the stockbroker.

The New Yorker

Suddenly a chance encounter brought them in touch with Mormonism.

The New York Times

The Data Domain story grew out of a chance encounter.

The New York Times - Tech

It was a chance encounter between Marc Cooke and 926F.

The Washington Post

It was a chance encounter back in December.

The New York Times - Sports

Through a chance encounter, I met a man.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pauline and Michael are brought together by a chance encounter.

The New York Times - Books

Others, however, are recruited after a chance encounter.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "a chance encounter", provide context about the circumstances that made the meeting unexpected or significant. This helps the reader understand the importance of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "a chance encounter" when the meeting was prearranged or intended, as this undermines the core meaning of the phrase. Instead, use terms like "meeting", "appointment", or "conference" when describing planned interactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chance encounter" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, describing an event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a chance encounter" is a widely used noun phrase that refers to an unplanned or unexpected meeting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across diverse contexts. Its function is to introduce spontaneity and potential significance to a situation. It holds a neutral register, fitting comfortably in news, academic writing, and general conversation. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media and Academia, revealing its role in reporting unexpected events and exploring narrative turning points.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fortuitous meeting

Emphasizes the luck or good fortune associated with the meeting.

Unexpected meeting

Focuses on the lack of anticipation or planning.

Accidental meeting

Highlights the unintentional nature of the meeting.

Serendipitous meeting

Implies a pleasant surprise and discovery during the meeting.

Unplanned meeting

Underscores the absence of any pre-arrangement.

Random encounter

Stresses the lack of predictability.

Coincidental meeting

Highlights the concurrence of events without prior intention.

Fluke meeting

Indicates that the meeting was a result of unusual or improbable circumstances.

Happenstance meeting

Similar to 'coincidental', but with a slightly more formal tone.

Providential meeting

Suggests that the meeting was guided by fate or divine intervention.

FAQs

How can I use "a chance encounter" in a sentence?

Use "a chance encounter" to describe an unplanned or unexpected meeting. For example, "A chance encounter with a former colleague led to a new job opportunity."

What's a more formal way to say "a chance encounter"?

While "a chance encounter" is suitable for most contexts, consider using "a fortuitous meeting" or "a serendipitous encounter" for a more formal tone.

Is "chance encounter" one word or two?

"Chance encounter" is two words. The phrase describes an encounter that happens by chance, meaning unexpectedly.

What's the difference between "a chance encounter" and "a planned meeting"?

"A chance encounter" implies an unplanned, unexpected meeting, while "a planned meeting" indicates that the meeting was arranged beforehand.