just chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"just chance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when something has happened through luck or coincidence, rather than design or plan. For example: "He won the lottery - it was just chance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No purpose, just chance.

The New Yorker

Maybe it was just chance".

The New York Times

Perhaps it's just chance.

The Guardian

Maybe it's just chance.

The Guardian

"It was just chance," he says.

The Guardian

And the fact that it's going up is just chance.

Yale University

To the knowing they provide reassurance that the future is not just chance and contingency.

The New Yorker

"Nothing that is happening, including the apocalyptic editorials in foreign media, is just chance.

The Economist

What took so long, or were all those years just chance?

The New Yorker

The other half is just chance — that we all happen to be in America right now.

The New York Times

My luck felt undeserved, and I realized how much of this is just chance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally and/or scientifically consider alternative terms like pure luck, mere coincidence, random occurrence and blind luck depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Common error

Avoid attributing significant outcomes solely to "just chance" when deeper analysis is possible. Over-reliance can dismiss underlying factors or systemic issues that contribute to the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just chance" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an event or outcome occurred randomly or without intention. Ludwig AI confirms this based on the numerous examples found in its database.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just chance" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to attribute events to randomness or luck. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While generally neutral in register, it is less formal and may be replaced by more precise alternatives in certain academic or professional settings. When choosing alternatives, pure luck, mere coincidence, or random occurrence might be most suitable. It's crucial to avoid overusing the term as an explanation and to consider deeper underlying factors when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pure luck

Replaces 'chance' with 'luck', emphasizing the fortunate aspect.

sheer luck

Similar to 'pure luck', further emphasizes the role of luck.

mere coincidence

Focuses on the coincidental nature of the event, removing the element of luck.

blind luck

Suggests the luck was completely undirected or unintentional.

random occurrence

Highlights the randomness of the event, suitable for more formal contexts.

fluke accident

Emphasizes the accidental and improbable nature of the event.

fortunate accident

Highlights the accidental and fortunate elements combined.

happenstance event

A more formal way of saying something happened by chance or coincidence.

random happenstance

Combines 'random' and 'happenstance' for emphasis.

serendipitous event

Suggests a chance event that is also fortunate and desirable.

FAQs

How can I use "just chance" in a sentence?

You can use "just chance" to explain an outcome that happened randomly or without planning. For example, "Finding that rare book was "just chance"."

What are some alternatives to using "just chance"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "pure luck", "mere coincidence", or "random occurrence" instead of "just chance".

Is it appropriate to use "just chance" in formal writing?

While "just chance" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "random occurrence" or "serendipitous event" might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Does "just chance" imply a lack of control or intention?

Yes, "just chance" typically suggests that an event happened randomly, without deliberate planning or control. It emphasizes the role of luck or coincidence.