fortuitous circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fortuitous circumstance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that occurs by chance in a happy or beneficial way. Example: "Winning the lottery was a fortuitous circumstance that changed his life forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Do we in wider society really believe that outstanding success, in whichever field, is achieved without extraordinary dedication, talent and fortuitous circumstance, as Gladwell would have it?

The Guardian - Books

That the painting's home is the Louvre, one of the world's most-visited museums, is a fortuitous circumstance that has added to the work's stature.

Britannica

They had failed to reach the interior hallway or to detonate their explosives; the Vice-President's motorcade, which had been blocking the building's entrance, was "a fortuitous circumstance," the justices of India's Supreme Court later wrote.

The New Yorker

But the area which reasonably may be subjected to search is not to be determined by the fortuitous circumstance that the arrest took place in the living room as contrasted to some other room of the apartment.

Cornell University

Moreover, the proximity of the contraband property to the person of Antoniole at the moment of his arrest was a fortuitous circumstance which was inadequate to legalize the seizure.

Cornell University

Judicial determinations of invalidity of title can, on the other hand, have only an occasional impact, since they depend on the fortuitous circumstance of the property in question being brought into this country.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The whole incident was the result of fortuitous circumstances.

The New Yorker

It occurred just while, due to fortuitous circumstances, a 5 min.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

In a crisis, skilled leadership and fortuitous circumstances can overcome them.

The New York Times

9th over: England 50-1 (Trescothick 33, Vaughan 12) England's 50 comes up in fortuitous circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

He admits much of the circumstances which led to his business's success are down to fortuitous circumstances.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fortuitous circumstance" when you want to emphasize that a positive outcome occurred due to chance or luck, rather than planning or effort. It adds a layer of unexpectedness and good fortune to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "fortuitous circumstance" when the outcome was clearly the result of deliberate action or planning. Overusing it can diminish the impact and suggest that success is solely due to luck, overlooking the role of skill and effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortuitous circumstance" functions as a noun phrase describing a situation or event. The adjective "fortuitous" modifies the noun "circumstance", indicating that the situation is characterized by good luck or chance. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

31%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fortuitous circumstance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a situation where good luck or chance plays a significant role in a positive outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is generally used in neutral to formal contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific writing. While synonymous with terms like "lucky break" or "fortunate event", it emphasizes the unexpected and chance nature of the event. Remember to use it when highlighting the role of luck, and avoid overusing it when outcomes are clearly the result of deliberate effort. Understanding these nuances will help you effectively incorporate "fortuitous circumstance" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lucky break

Focuses more on the element of luck and suddenness of the positive outcome.

fortunate event

Emphasizes the positive outcome as a result of chance.

happy accident

Highlights the accidental nature of the beneficial situation.

stroke of luck

Stresses the sudden and unexpected nature of good fortune.

fluke occurrence

Suggests a less predictable, almost random, element to the situation.

serendipitous occasion

Implies a pleasant surprise while looking for something else.

providential happening

Suggests a sense of divine intervention or fate in the event.

opportune moment

Highlights the timing of the event as being particularly advantageous.

chance event

Focuses primarily on the element of chance without necessarily implying a positive outcome.

lucky coincidence

Highlights the simultaneous occurrence of events leading to a positive result.

FAQs

How can I use "fortuitous circumstance" in a sentence?

You can use "fortuitous circumstance" to describe a situation where luck or chance led to a positive outcome. For example, "Finding a rare book at a garage sale was a "fortuitous circumstance" for the collector."

What are some alternatives to "fortuitous circumstance"?

Some alternatives include "lucky break", "fortunate event", or "happy accident", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very fortuitous circumstance"?

While not strictly redundant, adding "very" may not be necessary. The word "fortuitous" already implies a significant element of luck. Consider using a stronger alternative phrase if you want to emphasize the degree of luck involved.

What's the difference between "fortuitous circumstance" and "opportune moment"?

"Fortuitous circumstance" emphasizes the element of chance and luck, while "opportune moment" focuses on the timing being particularly advantageous, regardless of whether it was due to luck or planning.