confluence of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confluence of things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where multiple elements or factors come together or intersect. Example: "The confluence of things such as technology, culture, and economy has shaped the modern landscape of our society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's a confluence of things.

The New Yorker

"It's a confluence of things," Ms. Read Shanor said.

The New York Times

"My insistence on having a speaker from Hudson County probably created a confluence of things that made it possible for Albio," Mr. Menendez said.

The New York Times

Richard Amper, executive director of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, said that with the realization that Long Island is now so close to being fully developed, "there's finally a confluence of things coming together that aren't usually in alignment".

The New York Times

"There is this confluence of things that happened in the late 1990s, before 9/11," Hwang continued, "that seemed to prepare for the notion that China was going to be the next big enemy of the United States.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was a confluence of things that happened where I was in between my contract over at GRP Records and Harvey and Nathan were free.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"The show is a confluence of two things" explained co-director Hannah Madsen.

The Guardian

"There's a confluence of several things happening downtown," said Jon Coleman, general manager of the new Sheraton.

The New York Times

Ms. Fuller also declined to go into specifics, but said that it was "obviously a confluence of certain things that made this happen".

The New York Times

In the eighth inning, what befell the Phillies, who had the second-highest fielding percentage and made the second-fewest errors in the N.L. during the regular season, was a confluence of negative things that arrived without warning.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Ho said he believed Asian brands' decisions to move into Europe reflected the confluence of two things: "First, European developers are looking toward the Asian market, and also an Asian kind of hospitality, to distinguish themselves from the European brands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confluence of things", ensure the factors you're describing are clearly related and contribute meaningfully to the situation at hand. Providing specific examples will add clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "confluence of things" as a vague placeholder. Always specify the "things" to maintain clarity and avoid weakening your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confluence of things" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a situation where multiple elements converge, contributing to a specific result. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in explaining outcomes influenced by various factors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confluence of things" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression used to describe the convergence of multiple factors that lead to a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples primarily from news and media sources, indicating its suitability for neutral to professional communication. While alternatives like "convergence of factors" or "combination of circumstances" exist, "confluence of things" offers a specific nuance suggesting a flowing together of elements. Using this phrase effectively involves clearly identifying the contributing factors and their relationships to the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Convergence of factors

Focuses on the merging of different influencing elements.

Combination of circumstances

Emphasizes the role of coinciding events.

Intersection of events

Highlights the overlapping nature of occurrences.

Merging of influences

Stresses the blending of different forces.

Combination of elements

General term for different features coming together.

Coincidence of factors

Suggests elements coming together by chance.

Amalgamation of events

Suggests a mixed combination of incidents.

Junction of circumstances

Suggests events meet at a specific moment.

Synthesis of influences

Emphasis the creation of something new from combined forces.

Alliance of aspects

Highlight how different features support each other.

FAQs

How can I use "confluence of things" in a sentence?

Use "confluence of things" to describe a situation where several factors combine to produce a particular outcome. For instance, "The project's success was due to a "confluence of things", including dedicated team members, sufficient resources, and a clear strategy".

What are some alternatives to "confluence of things"?

You can use alternatives like "convergence of factors", "combination of circumstances", or "intersection of events" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "confluence of things" in formal writing?

Yes, "confluence of things" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to convey the idea of multiple factors combining to influence an outcome. However, ensure that the context is clear and the factors are well-defined.

What is the difference between "confluence of things" and "combination of things"?

While both phrases suggest a coming together of multiple elements, "confluence of things" often implies a flowing together or merging, suggesting a more dynamic interaction than a simple "combination of things".