upon chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happens by coincidence or without planning. Example: "I found the rare book upon chance while browsing through the old bookstore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"There was chance upon chance they were getting," added Ferguson.

The Guardian - Sport

Are you to look to and depend upon chance in such an extremity?

The New York Times

McIlroy missed chance upon chance for birdies on both Thursday and Friday, over which he had 65 putts in all.

The Guardian - Sport

If you had to pick another team destiny would smile upon, chance are it wasn't the Coyotes.

The New York Times

Wembley, and the nation, is deflated after a 1-1 drat at Wembley What was said afterwards Henry Winter, the Daily Telegraph (28 June , 1996 "Tactically, England have become far more sophisticated, capable of adapting their approach to defeat the Dutch, of creating chance upon chance against obdurate Germans.

The Guardian - Sport

That same year, 1896, a law was proposed in Pennsylvania requiring all drivers of horseless carriages, "upon chance encounters with cattle or livestock to (1) immediately stop the vehicle, (2) immediately and as rapidly as possible disassemble the automobile, and (3) conceal the various components out of sight behind nearby bushes until equestrian or livestock is sufficiently pacified".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

This isn't the sort of place you happen upon by chance.

The Guardian - Travel

He's a coke dealer who comes upon a chance to make a big score.

The New York Times

And many customers seized upon the chance for a paperless loan.

The New York Times

Every opposition faction seized upon the chance to challenge the president.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They bear the difficult knowledge that their own opportunity for success depends upon the chance of someone else's misfortune; possibly, they even wish for it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically sound, consider using the more common and concise alternative "by chance" for greater clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "upon chance" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase can sound overly formal or archaic in those settings. "By chance" is generally a better fit.

Linguistic Context

"Upon chance" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun. It indicates that an event occurred due to random circumstances rather than deliberate planning. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "upon chance" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that an event occurred unexpectedly or without planning. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is less common in modern English compared to its simpler alternative, "by chance". While its usage is correct, opting for "by chance" often improves clarity and conciseness. The phrase appears most frequently in news media and scientific writing, with a slightly formal tone that may make it less suitable for casual contexts. It is important to consider that, despite being correct, its rare usage may impact the overall quality of the text and thus the user may look for more common alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by chance

More common and concise alternative, emphasizing the accidental nature of an event.

by coincidence

Highlights the coincidental aspect, suggesting a surprising concurrence of events.

incidentally

Indicates that something happened as a secondary or unexpected result.

fortuitously

Emphasizes the luck or good fortune associated with the event.

accidentally

Focuses on the unintentional nature of the occurrence.

unintentionally

Similar to accidentally but with a more formal tone.

unexpectedly

Stresses the surprise element of the event.

serendipitously

Highlights the fortunate discovery made by chance.

at random

Indicates a lack of pattern or deliberate selection.

without planning

Emphasizes the absence of premeditation or intention.

FAQs

Is "upon chance" grammatically correct?

Yes, "upon chance" is grammatically correct, although it's less common than alternatives like "by chance" or "by coincidence".

What does "upon chance" mean?

The phrase "upon chance" means something that happens unexpectedly or without being planned; similar to saying it happened "by accident" or "unintentionally".

When should I use "upon chance" instead of "by chance"?

While "upon chance" is correct, "by chance" is generally preferred for its simplicity and wider acceptance in modern English. Consider context and desired tone when choosing.

What are some alternative ways to express the meaning of "upon chance"?

Besides "by chance" and "by coincidence", you could also use phrases like "fortuitously", "accidentally", or "unexpectedly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.