as fate has it

USAGE SUMMARY

"as fate has it" is an idiom that is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used when someone is recounting how something unexpected happened. For example: "I was about to apply for another job when, as fate has it, I received a call from my dream company asking me to come in for an interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As fate has it, Russians utterly dote on wild mushrooms.

The New York Times

As fate has it, the nominee's acceptance speech is scheduled for the night of Aug. 28, exactly 45 years after the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.electrified the nation with "I Have a Dream".

The New York Times

He is, as fate has it, late for a meeting with Connie Hilton.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As fate had it, IBM chose Intel's chip for its PC in 1981.

Forbes

As fate had it, she held the winning ticket.

The New York Times - Magazine

He could build furniture (at their North Arlington, N.J., home, as fate had it).

The New York Times

But as fate would have it--and as a Denver jury concluded--he was fired for the wrong reasons.

Huffington Post

As fate would have it, just as his speech reached its conclusion, the sun, which had been hidden for some minutes behind a cloud, suddenly appeared again.

The Guardian - Opinion

He took his own life last month – as fate would have it, just as "Argo" was opening.

The New York Times

As fate would have it, Leo Burnett offered me to join them as Chief Digital Officer.

Huffington Post

As fate would have it, we both moved away from Detroit as we grew up, but a part of me never left.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as fate has it" to introduce an unexpected or coincidental event in a narrative to add a touch of storytelling flair.

Common error

Avoid using "as fate has it" in formal or scientific writing where a more direct and less embellished tone is preferred. Use alternatives like "coincidentally" or "unexpectedly" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as fate has it" functions as an introductory idiom that sets the stage for an unexpected event or coincidence. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English, typically employed when recounting something unexpected. Examples show it appearing at the beginning of sentences to introduce a surprising turn of events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as fate has it" is an idiomatic expression used to introduce unexpected or coincidental events, lending a narrative or storytelling quality to the account. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, though more suited for neutral contexts like news and media rather than formal or scientific writing. Alternatives such as ""coincidentally"" or ""unexpectedly"" may be more appropriate in those settings. The phrase serves to highlight the role of chance or destiny, enriching the description of events with a sense of unplanned occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as luck would have it

Emphasizes the role of chance or good fortune.

by a stroke of fate

Highlights the unexpected and impactful nature of the event.

it just so happened

Emphasizes the unplanned nature of the event.

it so happened that

More formal and emphasizes the sequence of events.

as it turned out

Focuses on the eventual outcome, often implying a surprise.

by a happy coincidence

Emphasizes the positive and unexpected nature of the event.

coincidentally

Focuses on the fact that the events occurred together by chance.

serendipitously

Highlights the fortunate or beneficial nature of the coincidence.

by chance

Simple and direct way to express that something occurred randomly.

fatefully

Highlights the significance or importance of the event in the grand scheme of things.

FAQs

How can I use "as fate has it" in a sentence?

Use "as fate has it" to introduce an event that occurred unexpectedly or by chance. For example, "I was about to give up when, "as fate has it", I received an important phone call."

What are some alternatives to "as fate has it"?

You can use alternatives such as "coincidentally", "unexpectedly", or "as luck would have it" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "as fate has it" formal or informal?

"As fate has it" is generally considered to be informal and more suitable for narrative or conversational contexts. In formal writing, it's best to opt for more direct alternatives.

What's the difference between "as fate has it" and "as chance has it"?

The phrases "as fate has it" and "as chance has it" are very similar. "As fate has it" implies a sense of destiny or predetermination, while "as chance has it" simply emphasizes the role of randomness.