odd coincidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "odd coincidence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when two unrelated events coincide in a surprising or unexpected way. For example, "It was an odd coincidence that I ran into my old neighbor at the grocery store when I live miles away from our old neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It seems an odd coincidence.

The Guardian - Books

Odd coincidence this should crop up today.

The Guardian

In an odd coincidence, both women turned up with orchids.

The Guardian - Books

But in an odd coincidence, the designers have always used Benjamin Moore paint bases.

The New York Times

(By an odd coincidence, both men were born in 1863 and both died in 1914).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In an odd coincidence, smyczek is the Polish word for a violin bow.

The New York Times

They were both born in Brooklyn to fathers who, in an odd coincidence, worked at I.B.M.

The New York Times - Arts

The timing is either an odd coincidence, or it is a signal".

The Guardian

While Ms. Davis thought this an odd coincidence, she didn't puzzle over it.

The New York Times - Style

In an odd coincidence, later testimony cemented the number of bystanders to James's kidnapping at 38.

The Guardian

"And it is an odd coincidence that Steve worked with electronics, too, as my father did".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "odd coincidence", ensure the events are genuinely unrelated to avoid implying a causal relationship where none exists. The phrase works best when the connection is unexpected.

Common error

While "odd coincidence" is a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "strange concurrence" or "peculiar synchronicity" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "odd coincidence" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to describe a surprising or unexpected concurrence of events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "odd coincidence" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase used to describe surprising concurrences. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While semantically related alternatives such as "strange concurrence" or "unusual concurrence" exist, "odd coincidence" maintains a balanced tone suitable for diverse writing styles. To ensure clarity and impact, avoid overuse and confirm the events are genuinely unrelated. This phrase serves to express surprise or mild amusement when unexpected connections arise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strange concurrence

Emphasizes the unusual nature of events happening together.

unusual concurrence

Focuses on the infrequency of the events coinciding.

peculiar synchronicity

Highlights the seemingly meaningful alignment of events.

unexpected convergence

Focuses on the surprise element of two things coming together.

remarkable convergence

Highlights the surprising coming together of separate elements.

improbable alignment

Underscores the unlikelihood of the events aligning.

chance synchronicity

Emphasizes the role of chance in the aligned events.

fluky coincidence

Stresses the chance or accidental nature of the concurrence.

curious intersection

Highlights the point at which two separate things meet in an interesting way.

fortuitous convergence

Highlights the beneficial or lucky nature of the converging events.

FAQs

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

You can use "odd coincidence" to describe two unrelated events happening at the same time or closely related, expressing surprise or mild amusement. For example, "It was an "odd coincidence" that I ran into my childhood friend while on vacation in Italy".

What's a more formal way to say "odd coincidence"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "unusual concurrence" or "remarkable convergence". These alternatives maintain a similar meaning while projecting a more sophisticated style.

Is it correct to say "an odd coincidence" or "a odd coincidence"?

The correct usage is "an "odd coincidence"". The word "odd" starts with a vowel sound, requiring the indefinite article "an" instead of "a".

What can I say instead of "odd coincidence" to emphasize the strangeness?

To emphasize the strangeness of the coincidence, you could use phrases such as "bizarre coincidence" or "eerie coincidence". These options highlight the peculiar and unsettling nature of the event.