chance occurrences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chance occurrences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or incidents that happen randomly or without intention. Example: "The festival was filled with chance occurrences that made the day even more memorable, like running into an old friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

These thoughts were triggered by three chance occurrences within a few days of each other.

University of California, Berkeley

How irresistible it is to find false significance in chance occurrences.

The New York Times

From young Will Thomas onward, the Kennewick story has been one of chance occurrences and unintended consequences.

The New York Times - Magazine

He summons chance but never entirely submits to it: chance occurrences are always filtered through his mind.

The New Yorker

Kelbessa's case, one of the first of its kind under a new law, is a product of many chance occurrences.

The New York Times - Magazine

All of this finally leads him to ponder his life's purpose amid such chance occurrences, illustrated with a quotation from Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"The good thing about its size is that it's probably more than just a chance occurrence," Dr. Barlow said.

The New York Times

Because that market-beating percentage is so much higher than for other newsletters, the sector-rotation newsletters' success is unlikely to be a chance occurrence.

The New York Times

In any non-deterministic environment, unexpected events can indicate true changes in the world (and require behavioural adaptation) or reflect chance occurrence (and must be discounted).

NeuroImage

We have emulated this chance occurrence by extending the host range accessible to the human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes by the intestinal route to include the mouse.

Cell

You can assume that a chance occurrence like sporadic C.J.D. will happen at a steady rate over vast periods of time and among large populations.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chance occurrences" when you want to emphasize the random and unplanned nature of events, particularly when these events have a significant impact or lead to unexpected outcomes.

Common error

Avoid attributing cause-and-effect relationships to events merely because they are "chance occurrences". Always consider other potential factors and avoid drawing premature conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chance occurrences" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing situations where randomness plays a key role. The term often introduces an element of unpredictability or lack of deliberate planning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chance occurrences" is a frequently used noun phrase to describe random or unplanned events. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across diverse contexts like news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "random events" or "unexpected events" exist, "chance occurrences" specifically emphasizes the element of happening without intention. When using the phrase, remember to avoid attributing causality solely based on randomness and to consider alternative factors. The frequency with which it appears in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and suitability for varied writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

random events

Focuses on the randomness aspect, omitting the "occurrence" element.

unexpected events

Highlights the surprise element, suggesting something unplanned.

coincidental events

Emphasizes the coincidental nature, implying a surprising alignment.

fortuitous incidents

Suggests that the events are lucky or beneficial, adding a positive connotation.

unforeseen circumstances

Highlights the element of not being predicted or expected.

accidental happenings

Focuses on the lack of intention or planning behind the events.

serendipitous events

Emphasizes the element of good fortune or pleasant surprise.

unplanned incidents

Focuses on the lack of prior planning.

adventitious events

Describes something that is added or arrived at by chance.

fluke events

Highlights the improbable and unexpected nature of the events.

FAQs

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

You can use "chance occurrences" to describe unexpected or random events that happen without planning. For example, "The success of the project was largely due to a series of "chance occurrences"".

What are some alternatives to "chance occurrences"?

Alternatives include "random events", "unexpected events", or "coincidental events", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "chance occurrences" formal or informal?

"Chance occurrences" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than the phrase itself.

How do "chance occurrences" differ from planned events?

"Chance occurrences" are unplanned and happen randomly, while planned events are deliberately organized and executed. The former implies a lack of control, whereas the latter implies intention and direction.