matter of chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matter of chance" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means something that happens or occurs by luck or without any predetermined plan. Example: Winning the lottery is a matter of chance, as there is no way to predict the winning numbers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was more a matter of chance.

The New York Times

The choice is a matter of chance.

The New York Times - Health

Justice becomes a matter of chance.

The Guardian - Opinion

One's life is a matter of chance.

The Guardian

Strong past performance is often a matter of chance".

The New York Times

"It is a matter of chance which we are in".

The New Yorker

He said the success of Venezuelan ballplayers was not a matter of chance.

The New York Times

Whether this happens or not is often a matter of chance.

The Economist

She added, "Finding subjects is a matter of chance, and every encounter is tense".

The New York Times

The absence of 5th-dynasty evidence from the site is probably a matter of chance.

Britannica

"The selection of handedness is a matter of chance," he says.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "matter of chance" when you want to emphasize that an outcome is not determined by skill, planning, or control, but rather by unpredictable circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "matter of chance" when you actually mean "matter of course". The former implies randomness, while the latter means something is expected or routine.

How to use

Learn how to use "matter of chance" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter of chance" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a predicate nominative or part of a prepositional phrase. Ludwig's examples show it describing situations where outcomes are unpredictable and determined by luck rather than skill or planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matter of chance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe situations where outcomes are determined by randomness or luck. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence across various sources, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "element of luck" or "game of chance" exist, "matter of chance" effectively conveys the idea that the result is beyond control or prediction. Remember to use it when emphasizing unpredictability and avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "matter of course".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pure luck

Highlights that the outcome depends entirely on good fortune.

element of luck

Focuses on the role of luck as a component of the situation, instead of randomness.

hit or miss

Indicates that success is uncertain and depends on luck.

game of chance

Emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the situation, framing it as a game.

stroke of fortune

Highlights the positive aspect of luck influencing an event.

roll of the dice

A more idiomatic and figurative way of saying something is determined by luck.

left to fate

Highlights a passive acceptance of whatever outcome results from chance.

random occurrence

Stresses the absence of any predictable pattern or cause.

flipping a coin

Emphasizes a completely random decision.

by accident

Focuses on the unplanned and unintentional nature of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "matter of chance" in a sentence?

You can use "matter of chance" to describe situations where the outcome is determined by luck or randomness. For example, "Winning a lottery is a "matter of chance"".

What are some alternatives to "matter of chance"?

Some alternatives include "element of luck", "game of chance", or "pure luck", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a chance matter" instead of "matter of chance"?

While the words are the same, the phrase "a chance matter" is not commonly used and may sound awkward. "Matter of chance" is the idiomatic and preferred expression.

What's the difference between "matter of chance" and "matter of luck"?

While very similar, "matter of chance" emphasizes the randomness of the outcome, whereas "matter of luck" implies good or bad fortune specifically influencing the outcome.