a complete coincidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"a complete coincidence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two or more unrelated events happen at the same time, without any apparent cause. For example: "It was a complete coincidence that we both happened to be at the same restaurant at the same time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"That was a complete coincidence," said Mikey.

The Guardian

It's a complete coincidence, albeit a quite bizarre one".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Or is this just an attempt to make an issue out of a complete coincidence?

The Guardian

I didn't know it was part of Goodison Park – a complete coincidence.

The Guardian - Sport

A full moon will fall on Christmas Day this year – a complete coincidence, according to Swift.

The Guardian

"It's a complete coincidence, but it' s a very nice coincidence" declared Ms Ashton.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Statistical evaluation of the results of all three methods revealed an almost complete coincidence in the results of BAL and TBS with the lower threshold (10 CFU/ml).

Critical Care

I never know, and that's what excites me -- when the work is almost the result of a happy accident, or complete coincidence".

The New York Times - Arts

Mobiquity took down the l page in late July as part of an ongoing site redesign – complete coincidence, not conspiracy.

TechCrunch

My experience writing about it, for a column exploring classic Australian cinema (by complete coincidence, published one week before we met) will always be associated with my memories of Cox in person.

The Guardian

It's by complete coincidence then that thanks to a pretty serious train, her dress also closely resembled a cheese omelette.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a complete coincidence" to downplay potential conspiracy theories or assumptions of causality when events align unexpectedly. It helps maintain a neutral or objective tone.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "a complete coincidence" in close proximity. This can make your writing sound repetitive or as though you are trying too hard to dismiss connections that might exist. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete coincidence" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an appositive. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, typically used to negate a correlation between two unrelated events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complete coincidence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the absence of a causal link between events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in diverse writing contexts. While versatile, remember to avoid overuse and consider alternatives for varied expression. Predominantly found in news and media, with a presence in scientific discussions, this phrase serves to dispel notions of causality and intent. Whether downplaying a conspiracy or simply noting chance occurrences, understanding its usage empowers clear and objective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pure coincidence

Replaces "complete" with "pure" to emphasize the lack of any intentional connection.

a total fluke

Emphasizes the accidental and improbable nature of the occurrence.

a sheer accident

Highlights the unintentional and unplanned aspect of the event.

a random occurrence

Focuses on the lack of pattern or predictability in the event.

a chance event

Emphasizes that the event happened by luck or fortune.

an accidental convergence

Highlights the coming together of separate things by chance.

a fortuitous happenstance

Suggests that the coincidence is lucky or beneficial.

an unplanned synchronicity

Emphasizes the simultaneous occurrence of events without a causal link, often suggesting a deeper meaning.

a random confluence

Similar to accidental convergence but emphasizes the flowing together of events.

a stroke of luck

Highlights the positive aspect of the coincidence, suggesting a fortunate outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a complete coincidence" in a sentence?

You can use "a complete coincidence" to describe events that happen simultaneously without any apparent connection. For instance: "It was "a complete coincidence" that we both chose the same book."

What are some alternatives to saying "a complete coincidence"?

Alternatives include "a pure coincidence", "a total fluke", or "a sheer accident". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "complete coincidence" sarcastically?

Yes, you can use "a complete coincidence" sarcastically when you strongly suspect there's a connection between events, but you want to express skepticism or disbelief. This usage implies the opposite of its literal meaning.

What is the difference between "a coincidence" and "a complete coincidence"?

Adding "complete" emphasizes the utter lack of connection or pre-planning. While "a coincidence" simply acknowledges events happening together, "a complete coincidence" underscores the randomness and absence of any underlying cause or intent.