chance upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"chance upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you unexpectedly come across or discover something. Example: I chanced upon an old book at the flea market.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

When you chance upon them it is always a thrill.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The observant hiker may chance upon a dappled bushbuck.

The New York Times - Travel

I was pleased to chance upon DOUBLE-PARKING.

The Guardian

"There was chance upon chance they were getting," added Ferguson.

The Guardian - Sport

When someone manages to chance upon something new, I want to be part of it".

The Guardian

We chance upon Dame Maggie being marvellously racist in her wheelchair.

The Guardian - Opinion

The aim, for Magritte, was to mix his symbols and so chance upon congruous incongruities.

Independent

In 1997, as a law student at New York University, he stumbled by chance upon a Tridentine Mass.

The New York Times

Sutton received a minor for elbowing, then fought Colton Orr right after his breakaway chance upon leaving the penalty box.

The New York Times

McIlroy missed chance upon chance for birdies on both Thursday and Friday, over which he had 65 putts in all.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

At the bus station, we chanced upon John.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chance upon" to describe discovering something without specifically looking for it. It adds a sense of serendipity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid replacing "upon" with other prepositions like "on" or "at". While similar, "chance upon" is the idiomatic and grammatically correct form.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "chance upon" functions as a verb of discovery, indicating the action of unexpectedly finding or encountering something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, with numerous examples showing it in action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chance upon" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of unexpectedly finding something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts. It is a good choice to add a nuance of serendipity. While alternatives such as "come across" and "stumble upon" exist, "chance upon" maintains a distinct flavor. When using "chance upon", remember that "upon" is the standard preposition, and the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come across

This alternative is a very common and versatile synonym, often used in informal contexts.

come across unexpectedly

This alternative combines "come across" with an emphasis on the unexpected nature of the event.

stumble upon

This alternative implies a more accidental or haphazard encounter.

happen upon

This alternative is nearly identical in meaning and usage, but slightly less common.

encounter unexpectedly

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the lack of anticipation.

discover by accident

This alternative explicitly highlights the accidental nature of the discovery.

find unexpectedly

This alternative focuses on the finding aspect and the surprise element.

run into

This alternative usually refers to people rather than objects or information.

light upon

This alternative is somewhat archaic and literary, implying a fortunate discovery.

meet by chance

This alternative emphasizes the role of chance in the encounter, typically used for people.

FAQs

How to use "chance upon" in a sentence?

You can use "chance upon" to describe unexpectedly finding something. For example, "I chanced upon a rare book in the library."

What can I say instead of "chance upon"?

You can use alternatives like "come across", "stumble upon", or "happen upon" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "chance upon" or "chance on"?

"Chance upon" is the correct idiomatic expression. "Chance on" is less common and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "chance upon" and "find"?

"Chance upon" implies an accidental discovery, while "find" can refer to both intentional and unintentional discoveries. "I found my keys" suggests you were looking for them, while "I chanced upon a beautiful view" suggests it was unexpected.