decided by chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decided by chance" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something was determined or selected randomly without any specific reason or intention. Example sentence: The winner of the raffle was decided by chance, as the name drawn out of the hat was unexpected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The people's will should not be ambiguous, decided by chance or depend on an official's judgment.

The New York Times

Because the town had no ordinance to handle ties, state law called for the winner to be decided by chance.

The New York Times

As much power as we'd like to think we have, ultimately, the most important parts of our life are going to be decided by chance.

The New York Times

The detailed characteristics of any particular one of these universes -- the laws that describe the basic forces and particles -- might be decided by chance.

The New York Times - Science

Judge Presnell's ruling also established a new best alternative to a negotiated agreement, or BATNA, for the parties: the matter would be decided by chance rather than on its merits, an unsettling prospect if each side was convinced of the righteousness of its position.

Harvard University

If you see this in person, it's, like, 'How the fuck do you do that?'" The World Cube Association, the governing body of speedsolving, speedcubing or cubing, as it is variously known, requires competitors to attempt five solves, the best and worst of which are eliminated, and the other three times are averaged to make sure that nothing is decided by chance.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In addition to the improvised musical score there are sections of the show called "Windows", during which the protagonist, the Writer, literally roles a dice deciding by chance the character, the song and the quality with which it will be sung.

Huffington Post

He concluded further that, contrary to the teachings of the Hegelians, there was no "rational" inevitability in history and that society's fate was decided instead by chance and human will.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The winner of the race for village president in Colp will be decided entirely by chance after last Tuesday's election ended in a tie, The Southern Illinoisian reports.

Huffington Post

But maybe the alternative system would simply obscure the errors, spinning a comfortable illusion of an election decided by will rather than chance.

The New York Times

It can be decided by preference or by some chance method like flipping a coin.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process meant to be equitable, using "decided by chance" can reassure stakeholders that there was no favoritism or manipulation involved. It underscores impartiality.

Common error

Avoid using "decided by chance" when the outcome, although unexpected, was influenced by underlying factors or probabilities. Randomness doesn't equate to complete lack of influence. Ensure the situation genuinely relies on unbiased chance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decided by chance" functions as a passive construction indicating how a decision or outcome was reached. It emphasizes the lack of intentionality or control in the determination, aligning with Ludwig AI’s assessment of its grammatical correctness. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe outcomes ranging from election results to scientific processes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decided by chance" is grammatically correct and functions as a passive construction signifying that an outcome was determined randomly without intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts and maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure it reflects true randomness, avoiding scenarios influenced by underlying factors. While alternatives like "determined randomly" or "left to fate" exist, "decided by chance" effectively communicates impartiality and a lack of predetermination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Governed by chance

Implies that the outcome is not only influenced by chance, but fully under control of it.

Determined randomly

Focuses on the randomness of the determination, omitting the element of decision.

Subject to randomness

Shifts the focus to the state of being influenced by random factors.

Concluded randomly

Highlights a random form of finalization.

Determined arbitrarily

Highlights the lack of reason or system in the determination, implying a potentially unfair or capricious decision.

Established randomly

Highlights a random form of formation.

Resolved by luck

Emphasizes the role of good fortune or serendipity in the resolution.

Resulted by accident

Shifts the emphasis to the accidental nature of the outcome.

Left to fate

Introduces a sense of destiny or predetermination, contrasting with the randomness of chance.

Settled by lot

Implies a formal method of random selection, such as drawing lots.

FAQs

What does "decided by chance" mean?

The phrase "decided by chance" means that the outcome of a situation was determined randomly, without any intention or predetermination. It suggests that factors outside of anyone's control influenced the final result.

How can I use "decided by chance" in a sentence?

You can use "decided by chance" to describe situations where the outcome was random, such as: "The winner of the competition was "determined randomly", and not based on skill."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "decided by chance"?

Alternatives include "determined randomly", "left to fate", or "governed by chance". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "decided by chance" in formal writing?

Yes, "decided by chance" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider whether a more precise term like "determined arbitrarily" or "resolved by luck" might be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.