by chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happens unexpectedly or without intention. Example: "I ran into my old friend at the coffee shop by chance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Accidental occurrences

Unexpected meetings

Unplanned events

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By chance or design?

The Economist

It happened by chance.

The New York Times

By chance, I replied.

The New Yorker

"Brundibar" came about by chance.

The New Yorker

Three women meet by chance.

The Economist

It was composed by chance.

The New Yorker

Some meetings are by chance.

The New York Times

This didn't happen by chance.

The New York Times - Magazine

It just came by chance".

The New York Times - Sports

By chance, we were flown to Britain.

Independent

And they were not chosen by chance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event that was not planned, ensure the context clearly indicates the accidental nature of the occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "by chance" when you mean something was likely but not guaranteed. "By chance" implies a lack of planning, not just a possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by chance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action occurred. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase denotes an action happening without prior intention or planning. Examples show it describing unexpected meetings or unplanned occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by chance" is a commonly used phrase to describe events that happen accidentally or unexpectedly. Ludwig AI analysis validates its grammatical correctness and its frequent usage across diverse sources, including news media, academic papers, and general conversation. Remember to use "by chance" when you want to emphasize the lack of planning behind an event and consider alternatives like "accidentally" or "coincidentally" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coincidentally

Focuses on the occurrence of events at the same time by accident.

accidentally

Indicates an action performed unintentionally; focuses on the unintended nature of the action.

unintentionally

Emphasizes the lack of intention behind an action or event.

fortuitously

Indicates that something happened by a fortunate accident.

inadvertently

Highlights that something happened without being noticed or intended.

randomly

Indicates that something occurred without any specific pattern or reason.

incidentally

Suggests that something happened as a minor or subordinate occurrence.

unexpectedly

Stresses the surprise element of an event occurring.

as luck would have it

Implies that luck played a role in the occurrence of an event.

out of the blue

Emphasizes the sudden and unforeseen nature of an event.

FAQs

What does "by chance" mean?

"By chance" means accidentally or unexpectedly. It indicates that something happened without being planned or intended.

How can I use "by chance" in a sentence?

You can use "by chance" to describe unexpected meetings or unplanned events. For example, "I met my old friend "by chance" at the library."

What are some alternatives to "by chance"?

Some alternatives to "by chance" include "accidentally", "coincidentally", or "unexpectedly". The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "by chance" or "by accident"?

Both "by chance" and "by accident" can indicate something unplanned, but "by accident" often implies a negative or unintended consequence, while "by chance" is more neutral. For example, breaking a vase would be "by accident", while meeting someone would be "by chance".