chance has it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chance has it" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has happened by coincidence or luck. Example: "Chance has it that I ran into my old friend at the coffee shop today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Locked up in Urn Burial there is a quality of imagination which distinguishes it completely from its companions — as chance has it — The Old Wives' Tale and A Man of Property.

University of Chicago

As chance has it, there is such a passenger, one who last piloted a plane 13 years before and whose only experience is with single engine fighters.

The New York Times - Science

Almost everybody who wants to serve on a committee is likely to try to talk to Mr. Jones, who, as chance has it, goes on vacation next week.

The New York Times

Louise and I were on our own on Saturday night (my wife, Maja, was with friends, and Juliette, who's sixteen, was socializing by proxy, working her Sidekick with flying thumbs), and tried a movie I had DVR'd, Frank Tashlin's "Bachelor Flat," from 1962 (which, as chance has it, is another fish-out-of-water comedy).

The New Yorker

Chance has it that the participants would achieve a perfect split between the smut and the non-smut, when they got any image at all, just like flipping a coin.

Vice

Whenever the Community needs some astronomical sum for building repairs, or Chance has it that you've finally got to pay taxes on all those luxuries you've been hoarding, you pay it to the middle of the board.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Now being here and having that chance, having it in our own hands to qualify for the playoffs is definitely something.

Los Angeles Times

As chance had it, I was in Los Angeles last week and learned of a singles mixer co-sponsored by My420Mate in Hollywood.

Vice

"These guys took big chances; had it rained, they could have lost everything".

The New York Times - Food

But if the title was slipping away, if that chance had gone, it still wasn't over yet.

The Guardian - Sport

So I took a chance and had it".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chance has it" to add a touch of narrative flair when describing a coincidental or fortunate event in your writing. It's particularly effective in storytelling and personal anecdotes.

Common error

Avoid using "chance has it" in formal or professional documents where a more direct and objective tone is preferred. Opt for phrases like "coincidentally" or "as a result of unforeseen circumstances" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chance has it" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a statement of coincidence or unexpected occurrence. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts to express the happenstance nature of events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chance has it" is a grammatically correct and usable idiomatic expression in English, typically employed to denote that something has occurred by coincidence or luck. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. While not exceedingly common, it appears in diverse contexts such as news, academic writing, and even informal conversations. For formal settings, alternatives like "coincidentally" or "as a result of unforeseen circumstances" might be more suitable. The phrase carries a neutral register, fitting various narrative purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as luck would have it

This alternative uses "luck" instead of "chance", emphasizing the fortuitous nature of the event.

as it happens

This alternative is a more concise way of expressing that something occurred by coincidence.

by coincidence

This phrase directly states that the event was not planned or intended.

coincidentally

This adverb describes the manner in which the event occurred.

fortuitously

This adverb emphasizes the lucky or fortunate nature of the event.

as fate would have it

This alternative introduces an element of destiny or predetermination.

by a stroke of luck

This phrase highlights the unexpected and positive nature of the event.

it so happened that

This alternative is a more formal way of introducing a coincidental event.

as things turned out

This phrase emphasizes the eventual outcome of a series of events.

in a surprising turn of events

This alternative highlights the unexpected nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "chance has it" in a sentence?

You can use "chance has it" to introduce a surprising or coincidental event. For example, "Chance has it, I ran into my old friend at the conference."

What does "chance has it" mean?

"Chance has it" means that something happened unexpectedly or by luck. It's used to express that an event occurred without planning or intention.

What are some alternatives to "chance has it"?

Alternatives to "chance has it" include "as luck would have it", "by coincidence", or "coincidentally". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "chance has it" formal or informal?

"Chance has it" leans towards the informal side. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "it so happened that" or rephrasing the sentence for a more direct tone.