caught by chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"caught by chance" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happened unexpectedly or without intention. For example: "I caught the bouquet at the wedding by chance." "She stumbled upon the old bookstore by chance while taking a walk." "The amateur photographer got a stunning shot of a rare bird caught by chance during a hike." "The two strangers met by chance on a train and ended up becoming lifelong friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was caught by chance, while talking to some drunken friends at a train station.

The New Yorker

The most pungent Thai scene, seemingly caught by chance, shows dogs copulating on the street outside the Fish Tank.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If you do get caught by the teacher, chances are they will make you cut it off and they will keep a strict eye on you.

WikiHow

Mr Navalny said that it was clear Mr Ofitserov had been caught up "by chance" in the "political process" and asked the judge not to jail his co-defendant.

Independent

His obsession with his personal suffering makes him indifferent to the larger tragedy, from which he feels quite detached - he is not, after all, a citizen of Oran, but was caught there by chance.

The Guardian - Books

Bennett said their study was a warning to neuroscientists to be careful with the way they do their work, so that they are not caught out by chance signals when they repeat a scan multiple times.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, Akerman's film about Bausch hasn't been released here (even on home video); I caught it, by chance, on television in France about fifteen years ago (the best of all chances — flipping channels, having my eye captivated by something I couldn't identify, and watching with rapt attention to the end before finding out what I had been watching).

The New Yorker

The species was first discovered in 1879, when a cod trawler caught some by chance while working off of the coast of Massachusetts.

Wikipedia

If I catch them by chance on TV or something, but… You wouldn't hunt them down?

The Guardian

"It seems they have been ambushed and caught by surprise and apparently had no chance to defend themselves".

The New York Times

His guilt precedes him, he was born with it, and only finally being caught by the law gives him the chance to prove, or create, his innocence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught by chance" to emphasize the accidental or unplanned nature of an event or discovery. This can add color and nuance to your writing, making it more engaging for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "caught by chance" when describing events or discoveries that were deliberately planned or sought after. This undermines the intended meaning of accidentality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught by chance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action occurred. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it often describes how something was unexpectedly discovered or experienced. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caught by chance" is a useful way to describe events or discoveries that occur unexpectedly or without intention. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While its frequency is relatively uncommon, the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, wiki articles and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the accidental nature of the event, avoiding its misuse for planned activities. Consider related phrases like "happened upon by accident" or ""chanced upon"" to fine-tune your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chanced upon

A more concise and formal way of saying "caught by chance".

inadvertently caught

Focuses on the unintentional nature of catching something.

found unintentionally

Focuses on the lack of intention in finding something.

happened upon by accident

Emphasizes the accidental nature of the encounter or discovery.

stumbled upon randomly

Highlights the random nature of the encounter, suggesting a lack of intention.

came across unexpectedly

Highlights the unexpected nature of the encounter.

discovered unexpectedly

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the discovery, without necessarily implying randomness.

unwittingly discovered

Emphasizes the lack of awareness or intention in the discovery.

encountered fortuitously

Emphasizes the fortunate or lucky aspect of the encounter.

serendipitously discovered

Highlights the element of serendipity, or a fortunate accident.

FAQs

What does "caught by chance" mean?

The phrase "caught by chance" describes something that happened unexpectedly or unintentionally. It implies that there was no planning or intention involved in the event.

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

You can use "caught by chance" to describe an unexpected encounter, discovery, or situation. For example: "I "chanced upon" the old bookstore by chance while taking a walk."

What are some alternatives to "caught by chance"?

Some alternatives include "discovered unexpectedly", "happened upon by accident", or "stumbled upon randomly". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "caught by chance" in formal writing?

Yes, "caught by chance" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the accidental nature of an event. More formal alternatives like "chanced upon" might be preferred in certain contexts.