divine providence

USAGE SUMMARY

"divine providence" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the concept of God or a higher power guiding and watching over the world and its affairs. It can be used in a religious or spiritual context. Example: "Through the trials and challenges of life, she always believed in the power of divine providence to guide her path towards a greater purpose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plutarch's theory of divine providence and theodicy, as presented in his On Delays of the Divine Providence Dee sera numinis vindicta) was influential among ancient Platonists and Christians alike.

SEP

It's divine providence".

The New York Times

"We depend on divine providence.

The New York Times

Or said: 'It's divine providence.

The New York Times

For us, it was divine providence".

The New York Times

(There was apparently a mention of divine providence).

The New Yorker

This infuriated Rawls, for whom these were simply "falsehoods about divine providence".

The New Yorker

"There's an old Roman saying: 'You never put limits on divine providence,' " he said.

The New York Times

Thus, in all religions, divine providence or its equivalent is an element of some importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To halt the execution would thwart divine providence and refuse the gift of redemption.

The New York Times

"My current life is so happy that the race seems to me like divine providence".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "divine providence" when referring to a belief in a higher power's guidance and care, particularly in religious or spiritual contexts. It suggests a sense of purpose and direction in events.

Common error

Avoid using "divine providence" as the only explanation for personal achievements without acknowledging individual effort and skill. While faith can play a role, attributing everything solely to divine intervention can minimize the importance of human agency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divine providence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a theological concept referring to God's intervention in the world. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's used to describe situations where events are believed to be divinely guided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase "divine providence" is grammatically correct and frequently used to denote a belief in a higher power's guidance of events. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its prevalence across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While its register can vary, it often carries a neutral to formal tone, expressing a purposeful influence behind seemingly random events. When using "divine providence", it's crucial to consider the context and avoid attributing success solely to divine intervention, acknowledging the role of human effort. Alternatives such as "providential intervention" or "God's intervention" may be used depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Providential intervention

Highlights the opportune and beneficial nature of the intervention.

Divine intervention

Similar, but more direct, implying that God is actively involved.

God's intervention

Focuses specifically on God as the intervening force, rather than a general sense of higher power guiding events.

God's plan

Emphasizes the existence of a preordained course of events.

Hand of God

Implies direct and purposeful action by God in shaping events.

The Almighty's will

Highlights the power and authority behind the divine influence.

Higher power's guidance

A more general term, applicable to various spiritual beliefs, not exclusively Christian or theistic.

Celestial guidance

Emphasizes direction and leadership, not necessarily a specific intervention.

Act of God

Refers to events beyond human control, often with legal or insurance implications.

Kismet

Suggests fate or destiny, often implying a preordained or unavoidable outcome.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "divine providence" in a sentence?

Use "divine providence" to describe a situation where you believe a higher power has intervened or guided events, such as "She attributed her miraculous recovery to "divine providence"".

What's a secular alternative to "divine providence"?

If you prefer a non-religious term, consider using "fate", "destiny", or "serendipity" to describe seemingly guided or fortunate events.

Is it appropriate to use "divine providence" in a formal, academic paper?

Using "divine providence" is acceptable in academic contexts when discussing religious beliefs, philosophical concepts, or historical perspectives where such beliefs were influential. Ensure the tone aligns with the paper's objective and audience.

How does "divine providence" differ from "luck" or "coincidence"?

"Divine providence" implies a purposeful, guiding force behind events, while "luck" and "coincidence" suggest random or unplanned occurrences. The key difference lies in the belief that there's a higher power orchestrating events.