coincidentally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coincidentally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an occurrence that happens by chance or without intention. Example: "I ran into my old friend at the coffee shop, coincidentally, just as I was thinking about her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It appeared to contradict the BBC's own editorial guidelines which were coincidentally read out on BBC1's Question Time, which followed the news.

The Guardian

The Roman Stoic philosopher, essayist, celebrity and dramatist Seneca was tutor, speech-writer and adviser to the emperor Nero, and he was also, not coincidentally, one of the very richest people of his age.

The Guardian - Books

On Saturday, in a hotel ballroom in an Iowa town not coincidentally named Perry, addressing a mix of conservatives and bikers, the former Texas governor touted his bona fides as an advocate for veterans.

The Guardian

Coincidentally, both Baggios' careers would end in 1999 (if you discard Roberto's swansong friendly against Spain in 2004).

The Guardian - Sport

But let us take a cue from the Republican Party and employ a quote they run out whenever arguing that they don't dislike minorities for being minorities but just coincidentally dislike almost all of them on their merits.

The Guardian - Opinion

Coincidentally, the single most popular general election outcome in the seats polled by Ashcroft was a coalition involving Labour and the SNP – a result favoured by 39% of all voters, including 62% of SNP supporters and 79% of Labour-SNP switchers.

The Guardian

They remembered LGSM better, and a few of them even remembered the Comic Strip's Strike!, which, coincidentally, was also filmed there.

The Guardian - Film

"Are these yours?" the receptionist dead-panned, looking down to the leather luggage and silver candelabra coincidentally by my feet.

The Guardian - Travel

There's the totally un-Googleable Seventeen who, weirdly, have 14 members, and Apeace, who had 21 members until June this year, when they sensibly downsized to 15 – coincidentally, the exact number of people you can fit in a minibus.

The Guardian - Music

The real epiphany came in 2008 when, coincidentally, I found myself retracing the Love Boat route from Los Angeles to Acapulco via the tourist haunts of Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.

The Guardian - Travel

However, thanks to Facebook's workplace culture of compulsive sharing, we can now live the Bay Area dream vicariously through its employees' feeds on Instagram (which, coincidentally, Facebook acquired for $1bn in 2012).

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coincidentally" to highlight an unexpected connection or occurrence. It adds a touch of intrigue or surprise to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "coincidentally" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or contrived. Opt for alternatives like "by chance" or "incidentally" to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "coincidentally" modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate that something happened by chance or unexpectedly. Ludwig examples show it often introduces a surprising or unplanned element to a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coincidentally" is an adverb used to describe events that happen by chance or unexpectedly. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While versatile, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "by chance" or "incidentally" to maintain variety in your writing. This analysis is based on a comprehensive review of real-world examples from reputable sources, providing a clear understanding of its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by chance

Focuses on the randomness of the event.

as luck would have it

Expresses that the event occurred due to good fortune.

as it happens

Highlights the occurrence as a matter of fact.

incidentally

Similar in meaning but can also introduce a related but separate point.

by a fluke

Implies an element of luck or accident.

unexpectedly

Emphasizes the surprise element of the event.

fortuitously

Suggests a fortunate or lucky occurrence.

serendipitously

Implies a happy or beneficial accident.

in a surprising turn of events

Highlights the unexpected nature of the situation.

as fate would have it

Attributes the event to destiny or predetermination.

FAQs

How can I use "coincidentally" in a sentence?

Use "coincidentally" to indicate that two or more things happen at the same time by chance. For example, "I ran into my old friend at the coffee shop, coincidentally, just as I was thinking about her."

What can I say instead of "coincidentally"?

You can use alternatives like "by chance", "as it happens", or "incidentally" depending on the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "coincidentally"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "coincidentally". However, ensure it fits the flow and doesn't sound awkward. You can also place it mid-sentence for smoother reading.

What's the difference between "coincidentally" and "incidentally"?

"Coincidentally" emphasizes the chance occurrence of events happening together, while "incidentally" can also introduce a related but separate point that is not necessarily simultaneous.