we chanced upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we chanced upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone discovers or encounters something unexpectedly or by chance. Example: "While hiking in the woods, we chanced upon a hidden waterfall that took our breath away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

At the bus station, we chanced upon John.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Eventually, at a bleak and abandoned roundabout, we chanced upon an unusually sad McDonald's.

Independent

Traversing down Swirral Edge we chanced upon the perfect camping spot, among pines, high above Glenridding.

Independent

In the middle of overgrown nowhere, we chanced upon a homely Buddha carved into a niche.

The Guardian - Travel

Late one afternoon, while strolling in La Marina in the lower town we chanced upon a sardine festival.

The New York Times - Travel

We chanced upon him later that day in a hospital ward – both his legs had been severed in a drone attack as he walked to the mosque.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Speech, then, is a responsive and creative act in which we discover things about ourselves, each other, and the world itself which we would never have chanced upon had we not the power to reframe the universe through speech speech accounts for our unpredictable nature.

SEP

The day we passed through Paradise we also chanced upon a stairway to heaven.

The New York Times - Travel

How shall we know one when we've chanced upon one?" I politely scarf a few more crispy crab cakes before making my reply: Quaint towns have at least one shop that sells nothing but items for cats.

The New York Times

The festival we'd chanced upon was the Torneo dei Quartieri, a crossbow competition among the town districts that is preceded and followed by festivities in the town.

The New York Times - Travel

Heaving open the big front door, it felt as if we'd chanced upon some portal into a furtive realm of modestly priced self-catering accommodation known only to the few.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we chanced upon" to add a sense of serendipity or unexpected discovery to your writing. It's particularly effective when describing travel experiences or recounting events where chance played a significant role.

Common error

Avoid using "we chanced upon" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more direct and professional alternatives like "we discovered" or "we found" to maintain a serious and credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we chanced upon" functions as a narrative device to introduce an element of serendipity or unexpected discovery. It sets the stage for describing how something was found by chance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we chanced upon" effectively communicates an accidental or unexpected discovery. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards informality and is best suited for narrative writing or recounting events where chance plays a role. Alternatives like "we stumbled across" or "we happened to find" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When employing "we chanced upon", consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we stumbled across

Focuses on the accidental nature of the finding, similar to tripping and discovering something.

we happened to find

Emphasizes the element of chance in the discovery.

we accidentally discovered

Highlights the unintentional aspect of the discovery.

we unexpectedly found

Focuses on the surprise element of the finding.

we came across by chance

Explicitly states that the encounter was due to chance.

we inadvertently found

Emphasizes the lack of intention in the finding.

we ran into unexpectedly

Implies a more direct and personal encounter.

we found by accident

Highlights the lack of planning in the discovery.

we located serendipitously

Uses a more formal term to describe a fortunate and unexpected discovery.

we encountered unexpectedly

A slightly more formal way of saying "we unexpectedly found".

FAQs

How can I use "we chanced upon" in a sentence?

You can use "we chanced upon" to describe finding something unexpectedly. For example, "While exploring the old town, we chanced upon a hidden antique shop."

What can I say instead of "we chanced upon"?

You can use alternatives like "we stumbled across", "we happened to find", or "we accidentally discovered depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we chanced upon" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "we chanced upon" might sound too informal for highly formal contexts. Consider using more direct alternatives like "we discovered" or "we found".

What is the difference between "we chanced upon" and "we searched for"?

"We chanced upon" implies an accidental discovery, while "we searched for" indicates a deliberate effort to find something. They are opposites in meaning.