coincidental

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "coincidental" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective and can be used to describe an event or situation that happens by chance and is not deliberately arranged. Example Sentence: It was purely coincidental that I ran into my old friend at the store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some might say the timing of these two reports was purely coincidental; other cynical voices will wonder about possible sequencing.

The Guardian

Its players boast a nimble, sure-footed confidence too consistently applied across every section of the ground as to be coincidental.

The Guardian - Sport

Local observers wonder whether the timing of the accusations against Anwar was entirely coincidental.

The Guardian - Opinion

We then move onto a second narrative, which sees John Orr (the rhyme with Thaw probably isn't coincidental) relating a dream in which he comes to a railway station, gets into a carriage and rides off to meet his double on a lonely road.

The Guardian - Books

Julia Davis is to star in a new Channel 4 sitcom about a failing breakfast TV show in which any resemblance to real-life programmes past or present is presumably entirely coincidental.

The Guardian

At this point it's worth a sideways glance at yesterday's coincidental report on the murder by the INLA – another republican offshoot – of Billy Wright, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) turned Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) mass murderer in the Maze prison in December 1997.

The Guardian

Mr Calvet admits he never expected Mr Juppé to fall for that one, but it was not entirely coincidental that Renault's announcement about Vilvoorde came only a day after Mr Juppé formally turned the idea down.

The Economist

The fact that I may also have received a whopping great Christmas gift from a particular individual or group (cash only, please, and use the Jersey Islands account) is neither here nor there and strictly coincidental anyhow.In noting my openness to such contributions, I am holding myself to the exacting standards laid out by the ethical guardians of the House of Representatives.

The Economist

On October 5th he accused us of "barefaced lies" and of acting on behalf of Chevron, which he said "has financed campaigns in The Economist". "None of this is coincidental, it's the empire of capital," he explained, adding: "The whole of humanity should rebel against this.

The Economist

But few in Hong Kong will believe it was coincidental that the two happened to be the cabinet members whose removal had been most frequently demanded by pro-democracy protesters in recent days (apart, that is, from the ouster of Mr Tung himself).

The Economist

Though Lilly insists that the timing of the launch of Sarafem is coincidental, its patent, which runs until 2007, will help Lilly offset the loss of high-margin branded Prozac sales to rivals selling cheaper generic versions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coincidental" when you want to emphasize that events happened by chance and possibly at the same time, without any deliberate planning or connection. It adds a layer of unplanned alignment to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "coincidental" when you actually mean 'consequential'. 'Coincidental' means happening by chance, while 'consequential' means important or significant.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "coincidental" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe events or circumstances that happen by chance, often implying a simultaneous occurrence. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this adjectival use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "coincidental" is a common adjective used to describe events occurring by chance, often simultaneously. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage, and numerous examples from sources like The Economist and The Guardian demonstrate its widespread use in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember that "coincidental" highlights unplanned alignment and that it is different than "consequential". Consider alternatives like "chance event" or "random occurrence" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chance coincidence

Reiterates the element of chance but as a noun phrase instead of an adjective.

random occurrence

Focuses solely on the randomness of the event, regardless of timing.

chance event

Focuses on the aspect of happening by chance, omitting the simultaneous occurrence aspect.

by chance

A more general way of saying something happened without planning.

fortuitous occurrence

Emphasizes the luck or good fortune associated with the event.

accidental meeting

Highlights the accidental nature of the encounter, typically used when people meet.

simultaneous happening

Highlights the occurrence of events at the same time, without necessarily implying chance.

serendipitous event

Implies a happy or beneficial chance occurrence.

unplanned event

Underlines the lack of intention or prearrangement, which is not always implied in "coincidental".

synchronous event

Implies a precise alignment in time, which "coincidental" doesn't always convey.

FAQs

How do I use "coincidental" in a sentence?

You can use "coincidental" to describe events that happen by chance and at the same time. For example, "It was purely "coincidental" that I ran into my old friend at the store."

What's the difference between "coincidental" and "accidental"?

"Coincidental" implies that two or more things happen by chance at the same time. "Accidental" simply means happening by chance, but not necessarily at the same time as something else.

What can I say instead of "coincidental"?

You can use alternatives like "fortuitous", "random", or "chance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is 'entirely coincidental'?

Yes, it is correct. Using 'entirely' emphasizes that the event was completely due to chance with no other factors involved. Ludwig's examples show common usage of 'entirely "coincidental"'.