stroke of coincidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stroke of coincidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected or surprising occurrence that seems to happen by chance. Example: "It was a stroke of coincidence that I ran into my childhood friend at the airport after so many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

By a stroke of coincidence or an act of fate, it turns out that this attractive, mysterious stranger lives in her street, having recently moved in.

The Guardian - Film

At one point, in a stroke of coincidence, both of the elections which many African observers had begun to think would never happen had been scheduled on the same day.

The New Yorker

At one point, in a stroke of coincidence, both of the elections — which many African observers had begun to think would never happen — had been scheduled on the same day.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As it sometimes happens with art projects, Bal's shadowlogy happened came to be by coincidence, a stroke of his idle hands during a break from working on a film script.

Vice

Some proponents of biblical creationism take these numerical balancing acts as proof of an intelligent being who fine-tuned the universe to be hospitable, others as a meaningless coincidence or a stroke of great luck.

The New York Times - Science

Was it coincidence or one more stroke of malevolence?

The New York Times

But most of us miss the opportunity by not even noticing or passing it off as a coincidence or some lucky stroke of luck.

Huffington Post

Patterns of coincidence and correspondence are traced.

The Guardian - Film

This story is full of coincidence.

BBC

This view is sometimes called the 'standard account' of coincidence.

SEP

It is not a matter of coincidence.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stroke of coincidence", ensure the context clearly indicates an unexpected and surprisingly fitting occurrence. Avoid using it for events that are simply ordinary or predictable.

Common error

Don't use "stroke of coincidence" to describe events that are merely slightly unusual. This phrase implies a significant and surprising connection between events that would otherwise seem unrelated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stroke of coincidence" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence, describing an event or situation characterized by an unexpected and meaningful concurrence. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stroke of coincidence" is a noun phrase used to describe a surprising and often fortunate event resulting from chance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its usage is relatively rare. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, serving to emphasize the unexpected and significant convergence of events. When using this phrase, ensure the context underscores the surprising and improbable nature of the concurrence. Alternatives like "fortunate coincidence" or "serendipitous event" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fortunate coincidence

Directly replaces "stroke" with "fortunate", retaining the core meaning.

serendipitous event

Emphasizes the fortunate and unplanned nature of the event.

chance encounter

Focuses on the unexpected meeting aspect of the coincidence.

pure happenstance

Highlights the accidental and unplanned nature of the event.

fluke occurrence

Replaces "stroke" with "fluke", emphasizing the accidental nature of the coincidence.

random synchronicity

Emphasizes the simultaneous and unplanned nature of the events.

happy accident

Highlights the positive outcome or fortunate aspect of the coincidence.

unexpected convergence

Focuses on the coming together of events in an unplanned manner.

lucky break

Stresses the element of luck and good fortune in the coincidence.

kismet moment

Highlights the fate or destiny aspect implied by the coincidence.

FAQs

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

Use "stroke of coincidence" to describe a surprising event that seems to happen by chance. For example, "It was a "stroke of coincidence" that I ran into my former colleague at the conference."

What are some alternatives to "stroke of coincidence"?

You can use phrases like "fortunate coincidence", "serendipitous event", or "happy accident" depending on the context.

Is "stroke of coincidence" formal or informal?

"Stroke of coincidence" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in narrative or descriptive writing than in highly technical or academic writing.

What is the difference between "stroke of coincidence" and "stroke of luck"?

"Stroke of coincidence" emphasizes the surprising connection between events, while "stroke of luck" highlights the element of good fortune or unexpected success. A "stroke of luck" might be winning the lottery, whereas a "stroke of coincidence" could be unexpectedly meeting someone who can help you achieve a goal.