fortunate coincidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"fortunate coincidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to a fortunate or lucky event or situation that occurs by chance or happenstance. Example: It was a fortunate coincidence that we happened to be in the same place at the same time, as we were both looking for a new job and ended up working together at the same company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Toye quotes Richard B. Moore, an American civil rights leader, who said that it was "a most rare and fortunate coincidence" that at that moment "the vital interests of the British Empire" coincided "with those of the great overwhelming majority of mankind".

The New York Times - Books

A fortunate coincidence, perhaps.

The Economist

Thanks to a rather too fortunate coincidence, she gets to know some other prostitutes.

The Guardian - Books

"They sort of happened at the same time," he said, calling the intersection of the two developments a fortunate coincidence.

The New York Times

In a fortunate coincidence, the day of decriminalisation fell on Bob Marley's birthday - he would have been 70 years old on the day had he survived.

Independent

By fortunate coincidence, an archive of Dr. Kober's papers had opened at the University of Texas shortly before I began my research.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

For reasons, he offered the tournament's status as "the mecca of our sport," a small percentage of interesting events and a large percentage of "fortunate coincidences" that "only add to the spectacle and drama inside these grounds".

The New York Times

The expedition, thanks to some fortunate coincidences, was at first a great success: Malta, the great fortress of the Hospitallers, was occupied on June 10 , 1798 Alexandria taken by storm on July 1, and all of the delta of the Nile rapidly overrun.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I'm not sure we planned it that way, but it's just one of those fortunate coincidences that has made our arachnid-inspired adventurer arguably the most empathetic superhero ever to wiggle a web.

The New York Times

For a lot of people God is "out there," a beneficent overseer who intervenes in response to prayer with healing, hope, comfort and even fortunate "coincidences".

Huffington Post

What a timely and fortunate jurisprudential coincidence!

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fortunate coincidence", consider whether the emphasis should be on the 'fortunate' aspect or the 'coincidence' aspect. Choose related terms accordingly to better convey the intended nuance.

Common error

While "fortunate coincidence" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse can make writing sound cliché. Explore alternatives like "serendipitous event" or "opportune moment" to add variety and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortunate coincidence" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a situation where a chance occurrence leads to a positive outcome, adding emphasis on the serendipitous nature of the event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fortunate coincidence" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe a positive event that happens by chance. As Ludwig AI explains, it serves to express both surprise and appreciation for a beneficial outcome that was not planned or expected. The phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from neutral news reporting to slightly more formal discourse, though considering synonyms such as "serendipitous event" for academic writing is advisable. Remembering to use "fortunate coincidence" to highlight the chance aspect of a favorable situation and avoid overusing it can ensure more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fortuitous circumstance

Emphasizes the role of circumstances in the fortunate event. A slightly more formal alternative.

lucky break

This is a more informal and concise way to describe a sudden and fortunate occurrence.

stroke of luck

Emphasizes the role of luck in the event, suggesting a sudden and unexpected piece of good fortune.

happy accident

Highlights the accidental nature of the positive outcome, focusing on the pleasant surprise.

serendipitous event

A more formal and sophisticated way of describing a fortunate and unexpected discovery or occurrence.

serendipitous meeting

Highlights that the coincidence involved people meeting. More specific than a generic coincidence.

fluke occurrence

Underlines the improbable and chance-based nature of the event, implying it was unlikely to happen.

opportune moment

Focuses on the timing of the event, suggesting it happened at the most advantageous time.

providential happening

Implies divine intervention or fate played a role in the fortunate event.

auspicious juncture

Highlights the favorable circumstances surrounding the event, suggesting it bodes well for the future.

FAQs

How can I use "fortunate coincidence" in a sentence?

You can use "fortunate coincidence" to describe a positive event that happened by chance. For instance, "It was a fortunate coincidence that we met at the conference, leading to a valuable partnership."

What's a less common word for "fortunate coincidence"?

A less common but more sophisticated alternative to "fortunate coincidence" is "serendipitous event", which emphasizes the unexpected and beneficial nature of the occurrence.

Is "happy coincidence" similar to "fortunate coincidence"?

Yes, "happy coincidence" is quite similar to "fortunate coincidence". Both phrases describe a positive event that occurs by chance, but "fortunate coincidence" might suggest a slightly greater degree of benefit or luck.

When is it appropriate to use "fortunate coincidence" in writing?

Using "fortunate coincidence" is appropriate in various contexts, ranging from news articles to casual conversations, when you want to highlight a positive outcome resulting from chance. However, in very formal or academic writing, consider using more sophisticated synonyms.