sheer miracle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer miracle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that is astonishing or unexpected, often implying that it is beyond normal understanding or explanation. Example: "The fact that she survived the accident was nothing short of a sheer miracle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"For nothing to happen to me, that was a sheer miracle, because guys were getting shot left and right," he said on Monday.

The New York Times

Unless these theories were at least approximately true, realists argued, the successes they give rise to would amount to a coincidence of cosmic proportions a sheer miracle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Maybe it's the faded dollar bills papering the bar, or the mannequin dressed as a mermaid hanging over the entrance, or the sheer miracle that this hundred-year-old, nondescript building is even still standing in a city where such places are either merrily bulldozed or trussed up with reclaimed wood and a rebrand.

Vice

If they do, it is sheer miracle because they don't have food, or they don't have enough.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We are living in an era of sheer technological miracles.

Huffington Post

The Arabs defeated the invaders through sheer tenacity and a miracle: birds panicked the elephants by dropping stones from their beaks.

The New York Times

If we all took such joy in the miracle of sheer being that it would never enter our heads to try to fuzzy up a single blade of grass.

The Guardian

Surely one of the sublime allures of literature is that part of literature's breathtaking miracle is its sheer unlikeliness in the hands of its makers, the chance that, given all, it just might never have happened.

The Guardian - Books

Here, in Lake Placid, where Eric Heiden won five gold medals in speedskating, and where the United States hockey team pulled off its miracle on ice, Sheer and Thorpe were challenged by more than history.

The New York Times - Sports

However, it is still nothing shy of a miracle that given the sheer number of airplanes in the sky, they didn't shoot down a single fighter, bomber, or tanker with all the projectiles they launched over those three weeks.

The New Yorker

Of the many miracles that night -- the sheer impossibility that we had taken the last exit for the next seventy miles remains the most chilling to me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer miracle" to describe events that defy logical explanation and are perceived as highly improbable or fortunate.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer miracle" to describe ordinary or slightly fortunate events. Reserve it for situations where the outcome is truly extraordinary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer miracle" functions as an intensifier combined with a noun. It emphasizes the extraordinary and improbable nature of an event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable and correct in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sheer miracle" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe events considered exceptionally fortunate or improbable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct, though relatively rare. It functions to emphasize surprise or gratitude and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While the phrase is acceptable, alternatives like "complete miracle" or "absolute miracle" may offer similar emphasis with slightly different nuances. When using "sheer miracle", consider the context and audience to ensure the level of emphasis aligns with the intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete miracle

Replaces "sheer" with "complete", emphasizing the totality of the miraculous event.

absolute miracle

Substitutes "sheer" with "absolute", highlighting the unquestionable nature of the miracle.

pure miracle

Replaces "sheer" with "pure", stressing the unadulterated nature of the miraculous event.

utter miracle

Substitutes "sheer" with "utter", conveying a sense of completeness and astonishment.

genuine miracle

Replaces "sheer" with "genuine", confirming the authenticity of the miraculous occurrence.

true miracle

Substitutes "sheer" with "true", emphasizing the reality of the miraculous event.

nothing short of a miracle

Rephrases to indicate that the event can only be described as a miracle.

a stroke of luck

Uses a more secular term, focusing on the fortunate outcome rather than divine intervention.

fortunate coincidence

Replaces the miraculous with the idea of a lucky, unplanned event.

unbelievable stroke of good fortune

Elaborates on the idea of good fortune to emphasize the improbability of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer miracle" in a sentence?

You can use "sheer miracle" to describe something unexpected, fortunate, and almost unbelievable. For example, "It was a "sheer miracle" that no one was seriously injured in the accident."

What are some alternatives to "sheer miracle"?

Alternatives include "complete miracle", "absolute miracle", or "stroke of luck", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "sheer miracle" an idiom?

While not a formal idiom, "sheer miracle" is a common expression used to emphasize the unexpected and fortunate nature of an event. It's more of a descriptive phrase than a set idiom.

Can "sheer miracle" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "sheer miracle" can be used in formal writing, but consider the audience and context. If a more neutral or less emphatic tone is desired, consider alternatives like "fortunate event" or "unexpected success".