a sort of miracle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sort of miracle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that seems extraordinary or unexpected, often with a sense of wonder. Example: "The recovery of the patient after such a severe illness felt like a sort of miracle to the doctors and family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But a sort of miracle took place.

The New York Times

THAT it has survived this long is a sort of miracle.

The Economist

To Praveen, who had always wanted a daughter, Mira was a sort of miracle child.

The New Yorker

This shortlisted novel, written in illness, is full of vitality and happiness – a sort of miracle.

The Guardian - Books

After repeating the required course twice he was finally passed through a sort of miracle and was able to graduate.

The New Yorker

The lack of aggression in such a mass of often-inebriated Britons was a sort of miracle – and a tribute to Glastonbury's vast, improvised, successful society.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It's a society that seems ready to surrender to any sort of miracle.

Vice

A lot of people look at our game as 'O.K., whatever; the real game is going to take place Saturday.' " Barrow said his team is for real, and having home-field advantage is not any sort of miracle.

The New York Times - Sports

Barring any sort of miracle (like Sprint buying them completely) things are looking pretty hairy for Clearwire.

TechCrunch

They seem to me a sort of nighttime miracle, like the gifts of the Befana, which I waited for as a child.... True miracles are the ones whose makers will never be known.... Besides, isn't it true that promotion is expensive?

The New Yorker

In a sort of legislative miracle, Texas lawmakers actually finished their redistricting work this year, drawing new political maps for Congress, the Texas House and Senate, and for the State Board of Education.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sort of miracle" to describe situations where the positive outcome is unexpected and almost unbelievable, creating a sense of wonder or relief.

Common error

Avoid using "a sort of miracle" for ordinary, everyday occurrences. Reserve it for truly exceptional or surprising situations to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sort of miracle" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes something that is perceived as extraordinary or highly improbable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sort of miracle" is a grammatically correct and usable expression employed to describe unexpectedly positive or improbable events. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showcasing its presence across various sources like news, books, and scientific articles. While not extremely frequent, it adds a touch of wonder or relief when highlighting fortunate circumstances. When writing, remember to reserve it for truly exceptional situations and consider more formal alternatives when needed. Major sources are The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, The Economist and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a stroke of luck

Focuses more on the element of chance or fortune being involved.

an unexpected blessing

Highlights the positive and fortunate nature of the event.

a lucky break

Similar to a stroke of luck, but perhaps implying a sudden advantage.

a fortunate coincidence

Emphasizes the accidental and positive coming together of events.

a providential occurrence

Suggests divine intervention or fate.

an extraordinary event

Focuses on the remarkable and unusual nature of the occurrence.

a surprising turn of events

Highlights the unexpected change in circumstances.

a fortunate accident

Highlights the fortunate nature of an accident.

an amazing feat

Highlights the impressiveness and skill involved in achieving something.

a wondrous happening

Emphasizes the element of awe and amazement.

FAQs

How can I use "a sort of miracle" in a sentence?

You can use "a sort of miracle" to describe an event or situation that is unexpectedly positive or seems almost impossible. For example, "The team's victory after being down by 20 points felt like "a sort of miracle"."

What's a more formal alternative to "a sort of miracle"?

While "a sort of miracle" is acceptable in many contexts, a more formal alternative could be "an extraordinary occurrence" or "a providential event". Consider the audience and purpose when choosing your phrasing.

Is it correct to say "kind of miracle" instead of "a sort of miracle"?

Yes, "kind of miracle" and "a sort of miracle" are often interchangeable and carry the same meaning. Both phrases indicate something resembling a miracle but not quite a full one.

What is the difference between "a sort of miracle" and "an actual miracle"?

"A sort of miracle" implies something that is nearly miraculous but may have a logical or explainable cause, while "an actual miracle" suggests an event with no logical explanation, often attributed to divine intervention.