it was coincidental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was coincidental" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that happened by chance and was not planned or intended. Example: "When I ran into my old friend at the coffee shop, I thought it was coincidental that we both chose the same place at the same time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Detection in tracheal aspirates or sputum preceded pneumonia in seven patients for a median of 3 days (range, 1 to 14), and it was coincidental with its clinical diagnosis in the remaining six patients.

Critical Care

Democrats wondered whether it was coincidental.

The New York Times

If it was coincidental or not, I think that's when our funk began.

The New York Times - Sports

"Whether it was coincidental or not, it occurred at exactly the same time that these boats were around us," Cmdr.

The New York Times

It was coincidental, but two successful N.H.L. team executives, Detroit's Jimmy Devellano and Toronto's Brian Burke, spoke out about fighting in the game last Thursday.

The New York Times

It was coincidental that the precursor to Green's resplendent performance happened to be a conversation with perhaps the greatest Michigan State player of all time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

For those people, it's coincidental that there was once a Greek hero by that name.

The New York Times

"It's coincidental," Mr. Bartozzi said, "but it certainly takes on much bigger import now".

The New York Times

People can say it's coincidental or not important, but I say it's important".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think it's coincidental that he would pick the Friday of Accenture to announce," Cink said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't think it's coincidental that all of a sudden in the last year and a half or two years that I'm getting hurt more," Roddick said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was coincidental", ensure the context clearly indicates a lack of intent or planning to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid implying a causal relationship when using "it was coincidental". Clearly state that the events, though simultaneous, are not related to prevent readers from inferring a connection that doesn't exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was coincidental" functions as a statement to deny a causal relationship or pre-planning between two or more events. Ludwig shows this usage across various contexts, indicating its role in clarifying the accidental nature of events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was coincidental" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that events occurred by chance, without any prior planning or intention. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly conveys the lack of intent to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives such as ""it was by chance"" or ""it happened randomly"" can provide nuanced variations to express the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was by chance

Emphasizes the accidental nature of the event, focusing on the lack of intention.

it happened randomly

Highlights the unpredictable and arbitrary nature of the occurrence.

it was unintentional

Focuses on the lack of deliberate intent behind the event.

it was accidental

Similar to 'unintentional' but may imply an element of chance or miscalculation.

it occurred fortuitously

Suggests a lucky or favorable accidental occurrence.

it was an accident

Short form focusing on the accidental nature, potentially implying negative consequences.

it was unplanned

Emphasizes the absence of any prior arrangement or design.

it was unscripted

Suggests that the event was spontaneous and not rehearsed or predetermined.

it was serendipitous

Emphasizes the happy or beneficial nature of the unexpected event.

it just happened

Simple and direct, emphasizing the lack of cause or planning.

FAQs

What does "it was coincidental" mean?

The phrase "it was coincidental" indicates that an event or situation happened by chance, without any planning or intention. It implies that any similarity or overlap with another event is purely accidental.

How can I use "it was coincidental" in a sentence?

You can use "it was coincidental" to explain that two events happened at the same time or in a similar way, but without any causal connection. For example, "it was coincidental that both candidates chose the same campaign slogan."

What are some alternatives to "it was coincidental"?

Alternatives to "it was coincidental" include "it was by chance", "it happened randomly", or "it was accidental". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "it was coincidental"?

Using "it was coincidental" would be incorrect if there is evidence of planning or intentionality behind the event. In such cases, phrases like "it was deliberate" or "it was planned" would be more accurate.