serendipitous timing

USAGE SUMMARY

"serendipitous timing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a fortunate occurrence that happens at just the right moment. For example, "Her arrival at the party was serendipitous timing, as the surprise guest had just arrived." Alternative expressions include "fortunate timing" and "happy coincidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He laughed, tickled by the serendipitous timing.

The New York Times - Arts

The series opens with serendipitous timing, on Friday the 13th, with a double feature of "Frankenstein," with Boris Karloff, and "Dracula," starring Bela Lugosi, both from 1931.

The New York Times

While dancegoers flocked to those last week, a kind of inadvertent festival, the product of serendipitous timing, unfolded with less fanfare.

The New York Times - Arts

With serendipitous timing, he sold his stake in 2008 at the peak of the market and entered the global recession mostly in cash.

The New York Times

Nelson confesses to being awestruck by the serendipitous timing – one month before his film's Sundance premiere in January 2015 – of the release of Black Messiah, the comeback LP by D'Angelo and the Vanguard.

The Guardian - Film

Witness another recent case that had the potential to cause a stock market wipeout, but benefited from serendipitous timing: after the close of trading on Aug. 27, Bloomberg News inadvertently released an obituary of Steve Jobs, the chief executive of Apple — who, despite frequent rumors of ill health, was, and is, very much alive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He could have no idea how serendipitous his timing would turn out to be.

The New York Times

EUGENE, Ore .— Twenty years and some 2,000 miles removed from the most memorable duel (and startling stumble) in United States decathlon history, a serendipitous twist of timing appeared to have left the sport on the cusp of another American renaissance.

The New York Times - Sports

The coincidence of the two milestones, graduation and publication, could be seen as the serendipitous joining of timing and maturity, but I don't think so.

Huffington Post

This was all serendipitous, just good timing really, and it allowed us to get started on our cancer project.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

If satellite acquisition timings are fortuitous, InSAR may also provide important deformation information in near to real-time during a volcanic crisis, but serendipitous overflight times cannot be relied upon for monitoring.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serendipitous timing" when you want to emphasize that the good timing was unexpected and fortunate. It adds a layer of pleasant surprise to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "serendipitous timing" to imply that the positive outcome was solely due to timing. Recognize that other factors may have contributed, and make sure to acknowledge them for a more balanced and accurate description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serendipitous timing" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing a situation where the timing of an event is unexpectedly fortunate or opportune. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically sound and used consistently. It is used to highlight the element of chance or luck associated with the timing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serendipitous timing" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe unexpectedly fortunate or opportune timing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is consistent across reputable sources, primarily in News & Media. The phrase conveys a sense of pleasant surprise and luck. While alternatives like "fortunate timing" or "happy coincidence" exist, they may not fully capture the nuance of unexpected good fortune that "serendipitous timing" provides. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the positive outcome isn't solely attributed to the timing, but that other contributing factors are also acknowledged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fortunate timing

Focuses on the luck aspect of the timing.

opportune moment

Emphasizes the suitability and advantage of the moment.

happy coincidence

Highlights the coincidental and positive nature of the timing.

providential moment

Suggests the timing was divinely arranged or fortunate.

auspicious timing

Indicates the timing is favorable for success.

lucky break

Focuses on the element of chance and good fortune.

kismet occurrence

Implies a fated or destined element to the timing.

fluke event

Highlights the accidental or unplanned nature of the positive outcome.

coincidental opportunity

Stresses the accidental alignment of events creating a new advantage

unexpected advantage

Focuses on the unanticipated nature of the benefit.

FAQs

How can "serendipitous timing" be used in a sentence?

You can use "serendipitous timing" to describe a fortunate event that occurred at exactly the right moment. For example, "The release of the software update proved to be "serendipitous timing", as it addressed the bug just as users began experiencing it."

What are some alternative ways to express "serendipitous timing"?

Alternatives include "fortunate timing", "happy coincidence", or "opportune moment", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "serendipitous timing" formal or informal?

"Serendipitous timing" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, although it may be more common in written or slightly more elevated speech. Its suitability depends on the specific audience and purpose.

What is the difference between "serendipitous timing" and "planned timing"?

"Serendipitous timing" implies that the good timing was unexpected and fortunate, while "planned timing" suggests that the timing was carefully arranged or anticipated. They are opposites in terms of intent and execution.