fortuitous discovery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fortuitous discovery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected or accidental finding that turns out to be beneficial or valuable. Example: "The scientist made a fortuitous discovery while experimenting with a new compound, leading to a breakthrough in renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The success of this fortuitous discovery gives the researchers confidence as they strive to turn Feammox into a useful technology.

Princeton University

"We should rather celebrate the fortuitous discovery of this long-lost novel and share the author's joy at its imminent appearance".

The Guardian - Books

Stranded travelers made a fortuitous discovery when the airlines shut down after the terrorist attacks: The country still has an intercity rail system.

The New York Times

Now, ten years after that fortuitous discovery, the picture that is emerging from geological, hydrological, and palaeontological evidence is one of an ecosystem characterized by climatic instability and resilience.

The Guardian

But in testing to see whether the gene had been effectively silenced, they made a fortuitous discovery: A very small number of cats carry a mutant gene that produces a modified protein, far less likely to induce allergies.

The New York Times - Science

Jennifer Doudna and Samuel Sternberg's "A Crack in Creation" describes another fortuitous discovery, a method that promises to revolutionize biotechnology by allowing us to change nearly any gene in any way in any species.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

These fortuitous discoveries can form the germ of the next proposal.

The New York Times

Within three years of a fortuitous archaeological discovery in central France in 1924, the site, known as Glozel, had sparked controversy and headlines around the world.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The method herein demonstrates the utility of fortuitous SNP discovery exploiting the properties of probe-by-breed interaction effects after transcriptional profiling with Affymetrix GeneChip microarrays.

BMC Genomics

In retrospect, it was fortuitous for SNP discovery that researchers in each country chose their own local favourite malting barley for EST sequencing.

BMC Genomics

Mr. Knox describes his professional journey as a series of fortuitous setbacks and discoveries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific advancements or historical events, use "fortuitous discovery" to emphasize the role of chance and unexpected circumstances in leading to significant breakthroughs.

Common error

Avoid using "fortuitous discovery" when the finding was the result of deliberate planning or diligent research. The term implies an element of luck or unexpectedness, not just any positive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortuitous discovery" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing an instance of accidental yet beneficial finding. As Ludwig AI tells, it is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fortuitous discovery" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, especially across science, news media, and academic fields. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is a valid and accurate way to describe an accidental yet beneficial finding. When incorporating this phrase, be sure to consider connotations, highlighting the unexpected good fortune. Although it can be used both formally and informally, "fortuitous discovery" is best suited for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serendipitous find

Emphasizes the pleasantness and unexpectedness of the discovery.

lucky break

Highlights the element of good fortune involved.

accidental breakthrough

Focuses on the significant and unexpected nature of the finding.

chance finding

Stresses the unplanned nature of the discovery.

unforeseen advantage

Highlights the benefit gained from an unexpected situation.

unintended outcome

Focuses on the lack of initial planning or purpose.

unexpected benefit

Highlights the surprising and positive result.

fluke occurrence

Stresses the improbable and random nature of the event.

happy accident

Emphasizes the positive consequence of an unplanned event.

providential turn

Suggests a fortunate and divinely guided outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "fortuitous discovery" to describe an accidental yet beneficial finding. For example: "The invention of penicillin was a "fortuitous discovery" that revolutionized medicine."

What are some alternatives to "fortuitous discovery"?

Alternatives include "serendipitous find", "lucky break", or "accidental breakthrough", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fortuitous discovery" formal or informal?

"Fortuitous discovery" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly seen in writing than in casual conversation. The term itself carries a slightly elevated tone.

What is the difference between "fortuitous discovery" and "planned invention"?

"Fortuitous discovery" implies an element of chance or accident, whereas "planned invention" suggests a deliberate and intentional design process. One is found unexpectedly; the other is created intentionally.