what a coincidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression 'what a coincidence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing surprise about an unexpected connection or similarity between two things. For example: "I just found out that we both graduated from the same high school! What a coincidence!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SIR —What a coincidence!

The Economist

"What a coincidence.

The New York Times

Gail: What a coincidence.

The New York Times

"What a coincidence," she smiles sardonically.

The Guardian

For years I thought what a coincidence.

The Guardian - Books

"What a coincidence!" I thought naively.

MIT Technology Review

I: "What a coincidence -- so am I".

The New York Times - Tech

"What a coincidence!" the reply comes.

The Guardian - Books

(Moro ao lado!) What foreigners hear: What a coincidence!

The Economist

What a coincidence — those are the same thing!

The New York Times

"What a coincidence," the bum said, in Spanish.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a coincidence" to express genuine surprise and mild amusement at an unexpected concurrence or similarity. It is suitable for both spoken and written communication.

Common error

Avoid using "what a coincidence" in situations where the concurrence is statistically probable or easily foreseeable. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your communication seem insincere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "what a coincidence" is to serve as an exclamatory expression. It punctuates a moment of surprise or recognition of an unexpected concurrence. This is clearly shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a coincidence" is a common exclamatory phrase used to express surprise at an unexpected concurrence or similarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and frequently encountered across various contexts, including news media, scientific articles, and business communications. While "what a coincidence" is versatile, alternative expressions like "small world" or "serendipitous encounter" may be more fitting depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of overuse, and reserve it for genuinely surprising situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small world

A shorter, more casual way to express surprise at a coincidence.

serendipitous encounter

Highlights the pleasant and fortunate nature of the coincidence.

unexpectedly similar

Focuses on the similarity rather than the surprise.

fortunate happenstance

Emphasizes the role of chance and good fortune.

imagine that

Expresses surprise and mild disbelief.

funny that

Highlights the amusing or odd nature of the coincidence.

what are the odds

Questions the improbability of the coincidence.

never would have guessed

Expresses complete surprise.

it's uncanny

Highlights the strange or mysterious nature of the coincidence.

remarkable concurrence

Stresses the noteworthy agreement or similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "what a coincidence" in a sentence?

You can use "what a coincidence" to express surprise when you discover an unexpected similarity or connection. For example: "I can't believe you know my cousin! "What a coincidence"!"

What is a more formal way to say "what a coincidence"?

While "what a coincidence" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives include "it's a remarkable concurrence" or "it's a fortunate happenstance". However, these alternatives might sound overly stilted in casual conversation.

Is it ever appropriate to use "what a coincidence" sarcastically?

Yes, you can use "what a coincidence" sarcastically to imply that something is not actually a coincidence, but rather the result of deliberate action or manipulation. The tone of voice is critical to conveying sarcasm.

Are there similar phrases to "what a coincidence" that emphasize the smallness of the world?

Yes, the phrase "small world" is a very common alternative. It conveys a similar sense of surprise and emphasizes the unexpected connections between people or events. Other options would be "it's a small world" or "funny that".