a serendipitous occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serendipitous occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected and fortunate event or discovery that happens by chance. Example: "While searching for a book on history, I stumbled upon a serendipitous occurrence that led me to a rare manuscript."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The 'breaking' in Bearings Down (2013) was a serendipitous occurrence; the piece was initially broken in delivery.

Vice

Contrary to many traditional chemotherapeutic drugs, the discovery of imatinib was not a serendipitous occurrence but the long-sought result of a productive collaboration between academia and industry.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sometimes a successful art career springs from a few serendipitous occurrences.

The New York Times - Arts

There, in the kind of serendipitous occurrence that's common in fairy tales, Nikki's mother is renting rooms.

The New York Times - Books

How to try for the serendipitous occurrence of mutual desires and appetites?

Huffington Post

The first of our expectations, the item (a), was that the novel market niche was discovered out of serendipitous occurrences that our interviewees were able to turn into a business opportunity.

Journal of Organization Design

Consumers expect their digital experience to be more human and empathic, to be filled with emotional content, to surprise them with serendipitous occurrences, to allow for reciprocity and interactivity, and to offer the option of personalized adaptations.

Harvard Business Review

Unavoidable serendipitous occurrences could thus be exposed and incorporated more effectively.

Visualization in Engineering

This constant dialog between digital simulation and visualisation on the one hand, and analogue testing and physical prototyping on the other, continued throughout the construction and assembly process as serendipitous occurrences required constant design system changes.

Visualization in Engineering

"It was a serendipitous moment.

The New Yorker

A Serendipitous Retreat into Research Techniques Made Simple.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a serendipitous occurrence" when you want to emphasize the fortunate and unplanned nature of an event or discovery. It adds a touch of sophistication and highlights the positive outcome of chance.

Common error

While "a serendipitous occurrence" is a valid phrase, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or pretentious. Consider using synonyms like "fortunate accident" or "lucky coincidence" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serendipitous occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, where "serendipitous" is an adjective modifying the noun "occurrence". It describes an event or happening characterized by fortunate chance. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serendipitous occurrence" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe an unexpected and fortunate event. Ludwig confirms that "a serendipitous occurrence" is correct and usable in written English. It functions as a noun phrase, highlighting the element of chance and positive outcome. Though relatively rare, it is found across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. Consider using synonyms like "fortunate accident" or "lucky coincidence" for variety. When employing the phrase, aim to convey the unexpected and beneficial nature of the event in a sophisticated way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fortunate accident

Focuses on the accidental nature and positive outcome; less formal.

a lucky coincidence

Emphasizes the element of luck and the coincidental nature of the event.

a chance discovery

Highlights the unplanned finding or revelation.

an unplanned opportunity

Focuses on the unexpected nature and the potential for benefit.

a happy accident

Similar to 'fortunate accident' but perhaps slightly more informal and emphasizes the positive feeling.

a providential event

Suggests a divine or fateful intervention, adding a layer of significance.

an unexpected boon

Highlights the beneficial nature of the unexpected event.

a stroke of luck

Emphasizes the role of chance and good fortune.

a fluky incident

More informal, highlighting the unusual and unpredictable nature of the event.

an unlooked-for advantage

Focuses on the unexpected benefit or gain.

FAQs

How can I use "a serendipitous occurrence" in a sentence?

You can use "a serendipitous occurrence" to describe an event that was both unplanned and beneficial. For example, "The discovery of penicillin was "a serendipitous occurrence" that revolutionized medicine."

What's a less formal alternative to "a serendipitous occurrence"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "lucky break", "fortunate accident", or "happy coincidence".

Is "serendipitous" always positive?

Yes, "serendipitous" implies a positive outcome resulting from chance. If the unplanned event had negative consequences, "serendipitous" would not be the appropriate descriptor.

What is the difference between "a serendipitous occurrence" and "a fortunate event"?

"A fortunate event" simply describes something positive that happened. "A serendipitous occurrence" specifies that the positive event happened by chance or accident, making it more specific.