a possible coincidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a possible coincidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an event or situation that may or may not be coincidental, indicating uncertainty about the relationship between two occurrences. Example: "The fact that they both arrived at the same time could be a possible coincidence, but it might also suggest they coordinated their plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Our data, in fact, points at a possible coincidence between the developmental trajectories of SHR and ADHD hyperactivity: SHR learned to (or matured to, we do not know) produce longer response bouts, a pattern that was more typical of WKY controls.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The new scheme is able to identify any possible coincidence without the use of a priori knowledge of the fragmentation mechanism.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

This is the first clear genetic indication of a temporal proximity and possible coincidence of dispersals which encompassed autochthonous haplogroups with postulated "later" events of (S EA origin reconstructed from younger lineages.

BMC Genomics

The first application in March has a possible time coincidence with the hatching period of brown trout, while the last in October or November has a time coincidence with spawning.

Environmental Sciences Europe

The temporal proximity and possible coincidence of these latter dispersals, which encompassed autochthonous haplogroups, with the postulated "later" events of (South) East Asian origin pinpoints a highly dynamic migratory phase.

BMC Genomics

Possible coincidence with some climatic events in MYA (after [21]) is indicated, as well as modified estimates derived from slightly different molecular clocks (1.5 to 2.5%/MY; see additional file 1b for further details).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The suggestion that we examine possible coincidence of recombination junctions with special sequences such as replication origins is interesting, but without tests of causality it is not clear that much meaning can be attached to it.

eLife

However, since the pollen tube growth is highly influenced by environmental temperature, new microscopy observations were essential to detect possible coincidences between pollen tube behaviour of 'Comune' and 'Monreal' and transcriptional changes of the candidate genes.

BMC Plant Biology

We used bioinformatics tools [ 73, 74] to search for possible coincidences between our QTL regions (based either on flanking intervals or fine location) and the location of genes that have already been associated with behavioral traits in a variety of mammals.

BMC Genomics

To make such a distinction would require a more careful cataloging of all nearby anthropogenic sources, as well as perhaps a temporal coincidence with a possible causative tectonic event.

Earth, Planets and Space

This peculiar coincidence suggested a possible functional link between these two genes.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a possible coincidence", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are presenting a potential connection, but not asserting a definite relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "a possible coincidence" when you have strong evidence of a causal relationship. It's better to present the confirmed link directly rather than hedging with uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a possible coincidence" functions as a noun phrase, suggesting a potential but unconfirmed link or occurrence. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates uncertainty about the relationship between two events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a possible coincidence" is a versatile phrase used to suggest a potential but uncertain connection between events. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use across various contexts. It appears frequently in scientific and news media, and less often in formal business and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the speculative nature of the connection, avoiding any overstatement of significance. Related phrases like "a potential coincidence" and "a chance occurrence" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a potential coincidence

Replaces "possible" with "potential", emphasizing the inherent possibility of the coincidence.

a likely coincidence

Suggests a higher probability of the events being coincidental.

a potential correlation

Shifts focus to a statistical relationship, suggesting a possible but unproven link.

a conceivable coincidence

Emphasizes the possibility of the coincidence being imagined or understood.

a chance occurrence

Focuses on the accidental nature of the event, downplaying any implied connection.

a mere coincidence

Emphasizes the insignificance or lack of meaningful connection between events.

a random coincidence

Highlights the unpredictability and lack of pattern in the coincidence.

a fortuitous coincidence

Implies the coincidence is beneficial or lucky.

an apparent coincidence

Suggests that what seems like a coincidence may not actually be one upon closer inspection.

a suspected coincidence

Introduces an element of doubt or skepticism about the coincidence.

FAQs

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

Use "a possible coincidence" to suggest a potential link between two events without stating it as a definite fact. For example, "The timing of the two events could be "a possible coincidence", but further investigation is needed."

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

You can use alternatives such as "a potential coincidence", "a chance occurrence", or "a random coincidence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a possible coincidence" in formal writing?

Yes, "a possible coincidence" is suitable for formal writing when you want to cautiously suggest a connection without making a definitive claim. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "a possible coincidence" and "a definite correlation"?

"A possible coincidence" suggests a chance alignment or connection that may or may not be meaningful. "A definite correlation" indicates a proven statistical relationship between two variables.