serendipitous occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serendipitous occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected and fortunate event that happens by chance. Example: "The discovery of penicillin was a serendipitous occurrence that changed the course of medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There, in the kind of serendipitous occurrence that's common in fairy tales, Nikki's mother is renting rooms.

The New York Times - Books

How to try for the serendipitous occurrence of mutual desires and appetites?

Huffington Post

The 'breaking' in Bearings Down (2013) was a serendipitous occurrence; the piece was initially broken in delivery.

Vice

Contrary to many traditional chemotherapeutic drugs, the discovery of imatinib was not a serendipitous occurrence but the long-sought result of a productive collaboration between academia and industry.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Sometimes a successful art career springs from a few serendipitous occurrences.

The New York Times - Arts

Unavoidable serendipitous occurrences could thus be exposed and incorporated more effectively.

Visualization in Engineering

The first of our expectations, the item (a), was that the novel market niche was discovered out of serendipitous occurrences that our interviewees were able to turn into a business opportunity.

Journal of Organization Design

This constant dialog between digital simulation and visualisation on the one hand, and analogue testing and physical prototyping on the other, continued throughout the construction and assembly process as serendipitous occurrences required constant design system changes.

Visualization in Engineering

Invention can be serendipitous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Golf is serendipitous.

The New York Times

It was purely serendipitous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about scientific breakthroughs or artistic innovations, consider using "serendipitous occurrence" to acknowledge the role of unplanned discoveries and lucky accidents.

Common error

Avoid using "serendipitous occurrence" to describe events that are merely convenient or planned. The phrase implies a significant element of chance and unexpectedness, not just fortunate timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serendipitous occurrence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "serendipitous" modifies the noun "occurrence". It denotes a fortunate and unplanned event. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing examples where it describes accidental yet beneficial situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serendipitous occurrence" is a phrase used to describe a fortunate and unexpected event, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the role of chance in bringing about a positive outcome. Although grammatically sound, the phrase is not very common, mainly appearing in news, science, and some formal contexts. When writing, remember that the event needs to be truly accidental and lucky to qualify. If you aim for simpler vocabulary, consider using "fortunate coincidence" or "lucky break".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fortunate coincidence

Emphasizes the lucky and unplanned nature of the event.

lucky break

Focuses on the positive outcome and unexpected advantage.

chance discovery

Highlights the accidental nature of finding something valuable.

happy accident

Underscores the positive and unplanned nature of the event.

fluke event

Implies a completely random and unexpected happening.

providential event

Suggests a fortunate occurrence guided by a higher power.

unexpected blessing

Focuses on the positive and welcome nature of the surprise.

fortuitous incident

Highlights the accidental and lucky nature of the event.

random stroke of luck

Emphasizes the randomness and good fortune involved.

unforeseen opportunity

Highlights the unexpected chance that arises from the event.

FAQs

How can I use "serendipitous occurrence" in a sentence?

"Serendipitous occurrence" is used to describe an event that is both accidental and fortunate. For example: "The discovery of penicillin was a "serendipitous occurrence" that revolutionized medicine."

What are some alternatives to "serendipitous occurrence"?

Alternatives to "serendipitous occurrence" include "fortunate coincidence", "lucky break", or "chance discovery". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "serendipitous occurrence" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "serendipitous occurrence" is not as common as simpler alternatives like "happy accident" or "fortunate event". Its usage adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the accidental nature of the event.

What's the difference between "serendipitous occurrence" and "coincidence"?

While both involve unplanned events, a "serendipitous occurrence" always has a positive outcome, while a "coincidence" is simply a remarkable concurrence of events without necessarily implying good fortune.