divine intervention

USAGE SUMMARY

"divine intervention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a miraculous intervention of a higher power in a situation. For example: "When I struggled most, I found strength through divine intervention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Religion

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Divine intervention?

The New Yorker

That's divine intervention.

The Guardian - Music

"There was divine intervention.

The New York Times - Science

Or divine intervention.

The New York Times

"Divine intervention," he said, laughing.

The New York Times - Sports

It was like divine intervention.

The New Yorker

They prayed for divine intervention.

The New York Times

"It seemed like divine intervention".

The New Yorker

Divine intervention was desperately needed.

The New York Times - Arts

It came via divine intervention.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Talk about divine intervention??.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "divine intervention" when you want to attribute an unexpected positive outcome to a higher power or spiritual force. Ensure the context aligns with a belief in such intervention.

Common error

Avoid attributing every lucky break or coincidence to "divine intervention". Reserve the phrase for situations where there's a genuine sense of inexplicable help or profound change that defies natural explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divine intervention" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a specific instance or general concept of supernatural involvement. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sports

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

HuffPost

7%

Vice

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "divine intervention" is a noun phrase referring to a direct and obvious intervention by a god in human affairs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media. While the phrase often carries religious connotations, it is also employed more broadly to describe seemingly inexplicable positive outcomes. When using the term, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with a belief in a higher power's influence and avoid overusing it for simple coincidences. Consider using alternatives like "miraculous occurrence" or "stroke of luck" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand of God

Directly attributes an event to God's influence, synonymous with divine intervention.

miraculous occurrence

Focuses on the extraordinary and inexplicable nature of the event, akin to divine intervention but can be used in contexts beyond strictly religious ones.

providential care

Emphasizes the protective and guiding aspect of a higher power's involvement, highlighting benevolent intent.

act of God

This phrase implies an event is caused by natural forces, often with the implication of being beyond human control or prevention, similar to divine intervention but without explicit religious connotation.

heavenly assistance

Highlights the support and aid provided, often in a time of need, from a spiritual source.

intervention from above

A more general term indicating help or influence from a higher power or authority, less specific than "divine intervention".

supernatural aid

Suggests help that defies natural laws, broadening the source beyond a specific deity.

stroke of luck

This suggests a fortunate and unexpected event, diminishing the supernatural aspect and focusing on chance.

fortunate coincidence

Reduces the event to a matter of chance aligning favorably, removing the element of intentional intervention.

serendipitous event

This highlights the accidental discovery of something beneficial, downplaying intentional divine action.

FAQs

What does "divine intervention" mean?

The term "divine intervention" refers to a direct and noticeable action by a god or other supernatural force in human affairs.

How can I use "divine intervention" in a sentence?

You can use "divine intervention" to describe situations where a seemingly impossible problem is resolved through what appears to be supernatural means. For example: "The team's unexpected victory felt like "a miraculous occurrence" or even divine intervention."

Is there a secular alternative to "divine intervention"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "stroke of luck", "fortunate coincidence", or "serendipitous event" to describe a positive outcome without attributing it to a deity.

What's the difference between "divine intervention" and "act of God"?

"Divine intervention" implies a purposeful act by a deity, while "act of God" typically refers to an event caused by natural forces, such as a hurricane or earthquake, which is beyond human control. While an "act of God" might be interpreted as divine intervention by some, the legal and common usage of the term does not necessarily imply divine intent.