there were some flukes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were some flukes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe unexpected occurrences or anomalies that happened in a particular situation. Example: "During the experiment, there were some flukes that led to unusual results, prompting further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But there were some "flukes".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There's some evidence that this is a fluke, the result of the survey period ending before the 15 February payday.

The Guardian - Opinion

But of course there are flukes, exceptions.

The New York Times

Unlike the French Open and Wimbledon, rarely, if ever, in the last three decades, has there been a fluke winner, especially on the men's side.

The New Yorker

In addition, there were the statistical flukes — the 10 (one in 1,000) who were false positives.

The New York Times - Books

"Over 162 games, I think there's no flukes.

The New York Times - Sports

There are viruses, flukes, wasps, tapeworms, fungi and a whole host of tiny creatures whose only goal in life is to infect, exploit and take control of their host's every day behaviour.

BBC

"There was no fluke.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's been fluke calls.

The New York Times - Sports

There's no fluke in getting to No1.

The Guardian - Sport

There is local fluke tossed with herbs and pickled pineapple, silky and difficult not to bolt.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were some flukes", ensure the context clearly indicates that these events are deviations from the norm and not intentional occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "there were some flukes" when describing deliberate manipulations or planned outcomes, as "flukes" imply unintentional anomalies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were some flukes" functions as a statement indicating the presence of unexpected anomalies or deviations. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct. This phrase typically introduces elements of surprise or chance within a given context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were some flukes" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to indicate the existence of anomalies or unexpected events. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct. While more formal alternatives such as "there were some anomalies" or "there were some irregularities" might be preferred in formal contexts, the phrase is suitable for neutral communications and news reporting. It is important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring it reflects genuine deviations rather than intentional actions. Usage frequency indicates it is a rare phrase, but it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were a few anomalies

Replaces "flukes" with a more formal term, "anomalies", implying irregularities that deviate from the norm.

certain irregularities occurred

Replaces "flukes" with "irregularities", a more neutral term indicating deviations from the established pattern.

there were several odd occurrences

Substitutes "flukes" with "odd occurrences", suggesting strange or unusual incidents happened.

there were some unexpected results

Focuses on the outcome, replacing "flukes" with "unexpected results", highlighting the surprise element.

some glitches happened

Uses "glitches" to imply minor malfunctions or errors, often in a technological or mechanical context.

some aberrations were observed

Uses more scientific language, with "aberrations" indicating deviations from the standard or expected behavior.

unforeseen exceptions took place

Highlights the exceptional nature of the events, indicating they were not part of the usual pattern.

a few statistical errors arose

Emphasizes the statistical aspect, suggesting errors in data collection or analysis, instead of general anomalies.

sporadic exceptions were found

Describes the "flukes" as scattered and infrequent, using "sporadic exceptions" to imply they are not consistent.

a couple of coincidences emerged

Suggests the anomalies were chance events, using "coincidences" to emphasize the accidental nature.

FAQs

What does "there were some flukes" mean?

It means that there were unexpected or unusual occurrences that deviated from what was expected or normal. It implies a degree of randomness or chance.

What can I say instead of "there were some flukes"?

You can use alternatives like "there were a few anomalies", "there were several odd occurrences", or "there were some unexpected results" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "there were some flukes" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "there were some flukes" is relatively informal. For formal writing, consider using more precise and professional terms like "irregularities", "anomalies", or "deviations".

How do I use "there were some flukes" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe situations where unexpected events or results occurred. For example, "During the experiment, there were some flukes that led to unusual results, prompting further investigation."