a mere coincidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere coincidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happens by chance and is not significant or meaningful. Example: "The fact that we both wore the same color today is just a mere coincidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A mere coincidence?

Stanford University

That trend isn't a mere coincidence.

The Washington Post

This may have been a mere coincidence.

The Guardian - Sport

Executives at Eurex said the timing was a mere coincidence.

The New York Times

You didn't mention whether this second Asian beau is a mere coincidence or special attraction.

The New York Times

Subsequently he claimed it was a "mere coincidence" with no intention of provoking a reaction.

Independent

A SIMPLE fluke, a mere coincidence of timing, can sometimes reveal a lot.

The Economist

However, he adds that More's departure at the same time is a "mere coincidence".

The Guardian

Sometimes a mere coincidence in Hollywood's haphazard release schedule crystallizes a national moment — a gathering mood, a twinge of longing.

The New Yorker

A mere coincidence, the president implied, claiming that his change of tack was due to a "psychological turnaround".

The Economist

"It is our hope that the outbreak and the testing is a mere coincidence," the Scientologists said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere coincidence" when you want to suggest that an event is not meaningful or connected, even if it appears so on the surface.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "a mere coincidence" for a causal relationship. Just because two events occur together does not mean one caused the other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere coincidence" functions as a noun phrase that often serves as a subject complement or an appositive. It describes a situation or event attributed to chance rather than a discernible cause or connection, as affirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a mere coincidence" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an event that occurs by chance, without any underlying connection or causal relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Its use is widespread in news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. While generally neutral in tone, its impact depends heavily on context and intent. Being mindful of potentially mistaking chance for causation is paramount to using "a mere coincidence" effectively. Related phrases, such as "just a coincidence" and "pure coincidence", offer subtle shifts in emphasis, allowing nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pure coincidence

Replaces 'mere' with 'pure', emphasizing the accidental nature of the event.

a simple coincidence

Substitutes 'mere' with 'simple', downplaying the significance of the coincidence.

just a coincidence

A more casual way to express that something happened by chance.

a chance occurrence

Focuses on the accidental nature of the event, replacing 'coincidence' with 'occurrence'.

a random event

Emphasizes the lack of a pattern or cause in the event.

a fluke accident

Highlights the unexpected and potentially unusual nature of the event.

a fortuitous accident

Expresses that something occurred randomly, especially if it involves luck or good fortune.

an accidental happening

Emphasizes the unintentional aspect of the occurrence.

sheer happenstance

A more formal and emphatic way to describe a chance event.

blind luck

Attributes the event entirely to chance, omitting any implication of a connection.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mere coincidence" to indicate that an event is purely accidental and lacks significance. For example, "The fact that they both arrived late was "a mere coincidence"".

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

Alternatives include "just a coincidence", "pure coincidence", or "simple coincidence", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe something as "a mere coincidence"?

No, it's important to ensure that there is genuinely no underlying connection or cause. Using it dismissively when a connection exists can be misleading or dismissive.

What's the difference between "a mere coincidence" and "causation"?

"A mere coincidence" implies no causal link, while causation means one event directly causes another. To avoid confusion, carefully analyze if there's a genuine cause-and-effect relationship or if it's simply "just a coincidence".