stroke of chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stroke of chance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used to describe a seemingly lucky coincidence - something that happens without any planning or effort. For example: "Winning the lottery was a stroke of chance that changed our lives forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He went on to survive the blitz in London and Liverpool and, by a stroke of chance, to miss the dispatch to Singapore of the British unit he had joined.

The New York Times - Books

The provocative and challenging, but effortlessly groovable five-track EP, released September 18, was brought about by a stroke of chance on the Balearic Islands.

Vice

(The term "accidentally dairy free" simply refers to the fact that the manufacturer did not set out to make the product dairy-free and that you might expect the product to contain dairy but by a stroke of chance, it doesn't, so it's probably okay for you. That said, it might contain other things that aren't that healthy, so be conscious of that possibility).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then a stroke of luck.

BBC

Meeting Greene, she said in a recent interview, was one of those "sheer strokes of destiny," chance encounters that have defined her life.

The New York Times - Books

In both cases, however, the true subject is chance: "the immense strokes of luck, good or bad, that are calibrated by an infinity that escapes us".

The Guardian - Books

Guinness has long been obsessed, she says, with the whims of fate: how small choices, chance encounters, and strokes of fortune can alter the course of a life or determine our existence".If my mum's great-great-grandparents hadn't sent off their only son because they couldn't feed him, they would have perished.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And Odemwingie was guilty of another wasted chance on the stroke of half time when the ball came to him inside the box, but was mishit woefully off target.

Independent

The visitors struggled to create any clear-cut chances until the stroke of half-time but Blues goalkeeper, Darren Randolph, did well to get down and save Chris O'Grady's close-range effort.

BBC

Novara's best chance came on the stroke of half‑time but Marco Rigoni headed straight at Buffon.

The Guardian - Sport

Senegal's best chance came on the stroke of half-time with Abdoulaye Sane breaking into the box.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stroke of chance" to emphasize the unplanned and unexpected nature of a positive outcome. It adds a touch of narrative flair to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "stroke of chance" when the outcome is the result of skill or planning, not random luck. This can misrepresent the situation and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stroke of chance" functions as a noun phrase that describes a fortunate event occurring unexpectedly or due to random luck. It's often used to emphasize the unplanned nature of a positive outcome, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stroke of chance" is a noun phrase used to describe a positive event that occurs due to luck or unforeseen circumstances. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and functions to emphasize the unplanned nature of a favorable outcome. The phrase has a neutral register and is most frequently found in News & Media sources, though less common overall due to a limited number of examples. Alternative phrases include "lucky break" or "fluke occurrence". Be sure to use it when the situation genuinely involves random luck, and not skill or planning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

piece of luck

A more direct and simple way to express good fortune.

lucky break

Highlights the element of good fortune involved.

happy coincidence

Focuses on the agreeable and unplanned convergence of events.

chance happening

Highlights the unplanned and random nature of the event.

fluke occurrence

Emphasizes the accidental and improbable nature of the event.

serendipitous event

Stresses the unexpected discovery of something beneficial.

bit of serendipity

Similar to "serendipitous event", but emphasizes the element of fortunate discovery.

fortunate accident

Combines the ideas of chance and positive outcome.

windfall

Implies a sudden and unexpected gain or advantage.

act of fate

Implies that the event was predetermined or destined to occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "stroke of chance" to describe a fortunate event that happened unexpectedly. For example, "Meeting my future business partner at the conference was a "stroke of chance" that changed my career path."

What are some alternatives to "stroke of chance"?

Alternatives include "lucky break", "fluke occurrence", or "happy coincidence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "stroke of luck" the same as "stroke of chance"?

Yes, "stroke of luck" is very similar in meaning to "stroke of chance". Both refer to a positive outcome resulting from unforeseen circumstances.

What's the difference between "stroke of chance" and "calculated risk"?

"Stroke of chance" implies an unplanned, fortunate event, while "calculated risk" refers to a decision made after carefully considering potential outcomes. They are opposites in terms of intent and execution.