coincidental that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coincidental that" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing events or situations that occur by chance and are not related. Example: "It was purely coincidental that we both chose the same restaurant." Alternative expressions include "by chance that" and "accidentally that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I think it's coincidental that he would pick the Friday of Accenture to announce," Cink said.

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't seem coincidental that conception, or its absence, figures largely in both narratives.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Liu says the timing was coincidental, that he was simply feeling more politically inclined.

The New York Times

"Perhaps it's not coincidental that they are appearing now, when the property market is in crisis.

Independent

It is perhaps just coincidental that Mills is himself a 2010er.

Independent

It's obviously entirely coincidental that this brought welcome publicity for the Literary Review.

The Guardian - Books

Some of the connections between characters are so elaborately coincidental that we hardly notice them.

The Guardian - Books

It may be coincidental that inter-ethnic tensions in the area have begun to abate.

The Guardian

Nor is it coincidental that I Won't Share You is its last fond goodbye.

The Guardian - Music

It's probably not entirely coincidental that these staples pair so well with cooked corn.

The New York Times

It is, of course, coincidental that Paul Dacre, the Mail's editor, owns a grouse moor.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coincidental that" to express surprise or disbelief when seemingly related events occur without a clear causal link. This phrase effectively conveys that the connection is unexpected and likely due to chance.

Common error

Avoid using "coincidental that" when there is clear evidence of a causal relationship between events. Using it in such cases can undermine your argument and suggest a lack of understanding of the underlying dynamics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coincidental that" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a clause that presents a situation or event considered to be a coincidence. It expresses a lack of intended connection between two things. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is commonly used to express surprise about something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coincidental that" is a frequently used conjunction phrase that indicates a lack of intended connection between events. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct. It's commonly found in news and media sources, as well as scientific articles. When using the phrase, ensure that there isn't an actual causal relationship, and that there is the potential for the sentence to be interpreted as a coincidence. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "purely by chance that", "merely a coincidence that", or "just happened to be that" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purely by chance that

Replaces "coincidental" with "purely by chance", emphasizing the accidental nature of the connection.

merely a coincidence that

Uses "merely a coincidence" to downplay the significance of the connection.

just happened to be that

Replaces "coincidental" with a more conversational "just happened to be", softening the tone.

it's only chance that

Expresses the idea with a focus on the role of chance.

fortuitously that

Uses "fortuitously" to suggest a fortunate coincidence.

it's just luck that

Attributes the connection to luck rather than intention.

unintentionally that

Highlights the lack of intention behind the connection.

accidentally that

Similar to "unintentionally", but emphasizes the accidental nature.

randomly that

Emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the connection.

unplanned that

Focuses on the absence of a plan or design in the connection.

FAQs

How can I use "coincidental that" in a sentence?

You can use "coincidental that" to express that two events happened at the same time by chance, and there was no planning for that event. For example, "It's "coincidental that" both of us chose the same restaurant for dinner tonight."

What are some alternatives to saying "coincidental that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "purely by chance that", "merely a coincidence that", or "just happened to be that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "coincidental that"?

While grammatically correct, using "coincidental that" might not always be the most precise or impactful way to express a lack of connection. Consider whether a more direct statement, such as "It was just a coincidence", might be clearer.

What's the difference between "coincidental that" and "intentional that"?

"Coincidental that" implies a lack of planning or causation, suggesting events happened by chance. "Intentional that", on the other hand, implies that events were planned and deliberate. They are near antonyms, representing opposite scenarios.