chance event

USAGE SUMMARY

"chance event" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to an occurrence that is considered by chance or luck. For example, "Winning the lottery was a rare chance event that changed my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The pursuit of a treatment for alcoholism was aided by another seemingly chance event.

Harvard University

Each subsequent alternative course to the right represents an alternative outcome of this chance event.

Harvard Business Review

These changes include a direct measure of research expenditures and a considerably lengthier longitudinal dataset which allows us to capture a structural relationship and not a chance event.

Research Policy

Histories of the election tell of a chance event that may have played a role in the outcome.

The New York Times

Something I admire from the American approach is the systematic analysis of business, not seeing success as a chance event.

Yale University

Another chance event on Daphne Major could cause the new finch lineage to begin interbreeding with the local population again.

University of California, Berkeley

But that chance event, which happened, Mr Li's calculations suggest, about 180m years ago, probably explains why ferns are still around and thriving.

The Economist

Although somatic mutation can be a chance event in any body cell, it occurs regularly in the DNA that codes for antigen receptors in lymphocytes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At Oxford, my chief non-scholastic pursuit was writing, but a chance event took me into the world of public speaking.

The Guardian - Film

"The museum's purpose would not be to 'spread fear' but to confront what is no longer a chance event," he explained.

The New York Times - Arts

The resulting utility representations, like SEU, are weighted averages of the utilities of consequences, but with the weights dependent on more than the underlying chance event.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing statistical significance or scientific research, use "chance event" to distinguish between random occurrences and meaningful patterns. This helps clarify whether an observed outcome is likely due to genuine factors or merely random variation.

Common error

Avoid using "chance event" to describe events that have a high probability of occurring. Reserve this phrase for truly random or unexpected occurrences to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chance event" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific type of occurrence—one that is governed by chance rather than predictability or intent. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chance event" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an occurrence determined by randomness or accident. Ludwig AI confirms this through a multitude of examples spanning diverse fields, with strong presence in Science, News & Media and Academia. Understanding its usage helps to clarify outcomes not attributable to specific causes or plans. When writing, it’s best to reserve this term for truly random events to avoid misrepresenting predictable situations. As seen across various sources, the phrase maintains a neutral-to-formal register, making it suitable for both general and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

random occurrence

Focuses on the randomness of the event, highlighting the lack of predictability.

fortuitous incident

Emphasizes the accidental and often positive nature of the event.

unforeseen circumstance

Highlights the unexpected nature of the event and its potential impact.

accidental happening

Stresses the unintentional and unplanned aspect of the event.

coincidental situation

Indicates that the event occurred due to a coincidence, a surprising concurrence of events.

unpredicted episode

Focuses on the fact that the event was not anticipated or expected.

fluke occurrence

Implies that the event was a highly improbable and unusual happening.

serendipitous event

Indicates that the event was a fortunate and unexpected discovery or occurrence.

arbitrary incident

Highlights that the event was based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

contingent event

Emphasizes that the event is dependent on chance or uncertain conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "chance event" to describe an occurrence that happens randomly or unexpectedly. For example, "Winning the lottery is a rare "chance event"" or "The discovery was a "chance event" that revolutionized the field".

What are some alternatives to "chance event"?

Some alternatives to "chance event" include "random occurrence", "fortuitous incident", or "accidental happening", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "chance event" in formal writing?

Yes, "chance event" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific or statistical contexts where distinguishing between random occurrences and significant patterns is crucial.

What's the difference between "chance event" and "coincidence"?

While both involve unexpected occurrences, a "chance event" simply implies randomness, whereas a "coincidence" suggests a surprising concurrence of events that may appear meaningfully related but lack a clear causal connection.