by chance
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb 1. Without intention or planning; accidentally: Occurring in a way that is not deliberate or foreseen. 2. Through luck or fortune; as a result of random circumstance: Happening due to chance rather than design.
Usage
The adverb "by chance" modifies a verb to describe an action or event that happens unexpectedly or without prior arrangement. It is typically placed at the beginning or end of a clause.
Examples
- We ran into each other by chance at the airport.
- By chance, I found the exact book I was looking for in a second-hand store.
- The discovery was made purely by chance.
- Did you hear the news by chance, or were you looking for it?
Advanced Usage
- "As it happens" / "As chance would have it": These are more formal or narrative alternatives to "by chance."
- As it happens, I have a spare ticket.
- As chance would have it, we were on the same flight.
Variants and Related Words
- Chance (adjective): Describing something that is accidental or unplanned.
- A chance encounter.
- Chance (noun): The occurrence of events in the absence of any obvious design; luck or fortune.
- We left it to chance.
Synonyms
- Accidentally: Happening by chance or without intent.
- Fortuitously: Happening by a lucky chance.
- Inadvertently: Without intention; accidentally.
- Unintentionally: Not done on purpose.
Antonyms
- Deliberately: Done consciously and intentionally.
- Intentionally: Done on purpose.
- Purposely: With a specific purpose in mind.
- By design: As a result of a plan or intention.
Related Phrases
- Pure chance / Sheer chance: Used for emphasis to mean completely accidental.
- It was pure chance that we were there at the same time.
- Leave something to chance: To not plan or control something, but let fate decide.
- We didn't make a reservation; we left it to chance.
Adverb
- without advance planning
- they met accidentally
- by accident
- betrayed by a word haply overheard
- through chance, "To sleep, perchance to dream.."