coincidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "coincidence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word when two events or circumstances occur at the same time in an unexpected or surprising way. For example, "It was a remarkable coincidence that both of us were wearing the same shirt at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is no coincidence.

The New York Times - Sports

By worrying coincidence, the day that we've arrived in Grenada is officially the start of the hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

The Guardian - Travel

He told me that he didn't hate me because of rape jokes – the timing was just a coincidence – he hated me because, to put it simply, I don't hate myself.

The Guardian

All of which makes you wonder if it's mere coincidence that he's chosen to give his first interview in the week that the job of next director-general was advertised, or that the chosen venue is the so-called "Tsar's Bar" in a hotel opposite Broadcasting House (where the DG and BBC Broadcast are both based) rather than the Production tsar's own HQ in White City.

The Guardian

And it is no coincidence that we have a new generation of inspirational African leaders in place, making what President Obama has called "the tough choices that will unleash the dynamism of [their] countries".

The Guardian

The odds on such a coincidence occurring must be staggeringly high.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By a cruel coincidence the Dail resumed business just 24 hours after the so-called "troika" from the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund rode into town.

The Guardian

By coincidence, yesterday I popped into a Politeia thinktank session to listen to a very different kind of self-appointed visionary.

The Guardian

News that Jonathan Nott - who has transformed the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra in the 15 years he's been its principal conductor - is to start a new job with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva in 2017 (his contract ends in Bamberg next year), brings with it the coincidence of a planned new hall for the Swiss orchestra, replacing the Suisse Romande's current home, the Victoria Hall.

The Guardian - Music

It is no coincidence, says Alawi, that the columns in the firing sights were inscribed with calligraphic poetry recounting Muhammad's journeys and associated sites of pilgrimage.

The Guardian - Arts

At Spotify's press event this week, Ek made a point of praising some of his company's hires from the world of radio, too, which was no coincidence.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coincidence" to describe events that occur simultaneously or closely in time without an apparent causal connection. Ensure the context makes it clear whether the "coincidence" is meaningful or purely accidental.

Common error

Avoid implying a cause-and-effect relationship solely based on a "coincidence". Just because two events happen together doesn't mean one caused the other; further evidence is needed to establish causation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "coincidence" is as a noun. It refers to the occurrence of events or circumstances that happen at the same time in a way that is unplanned or appears to be connected. Ludwig AI indicates the word is correctly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coincidence" functions as a noun to describe unplanned or seemingly related simultaneous events. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, and examples from sources like The Guardian demonstrate its common application in various contexts. While "coincidence" is often used neutrally, it's important not to assume a causal relationship solely based on its occurrence. Alternatives like "chance occurrence" or "happenstance" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of potential errors such as implying causation without sufficient evidence when employing the term “coincidence”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happenstance

Similar to "coincidence" but often suggests a more casual or unplanned nature.

odd concurrence

Stresses the strange or unusual nature of the simultaneous events.

chance occurrence

Focuses on the accidental nature of the event, shifting from implied meaning to pure chance.

fluke

Highlights the improbable and unexpected nature of the event.

random event

Emphasizes the lack of a predictable pattern or cause.

unexpected convergence

Highlights the surprising coming together of different elements or events.

serendipitous event

Highlights the fortunate or beneficial aspect of the chance occurrence.

fortuitous circumstance

Emphasizes the positive or advantageous nature of the event.

synchronicity

Implies a deeper, non-causal connection between events that seem related.

accident

Stresses the unplanned and unintentional nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "coincidence" in a sentence?

You can use "coincidence" to describe two or more events happening at the same time by chance, for example, "It was a strange coincidence that we both chose the same book".

What's a good alternative to the word "coincidence"?

Depending on the context, you could use "chance occurrence", "happenstance", or "fluke" as alternatives to "coincidence".

Is it always correct to assume a connection when describing a "coincidence"?

No, "coincidence" often implies a lack of direct connection. If there is a clear connection, it might not be a "coincidence" but rather a consequence or correlation.

What is the difference between "coincidence" and "synchronicity"?

"Coincidence" refers to events happening by chance, whereas "synchronicity" implies a meaningful connection between seemingly unrelated events, often without a causal link.