Use of “mere chance”
Which one is correct? Or better asked, is it OK to use either one at any given time?
THank you
it is mere chance that ....
it is a mere chance that ....
expressions
asked 16 hours ago
Average Joe
101
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Which one is correct? Or better asked, is it OK to use either one at any given time?
THank you
it is mere chance that ....
it is a mere chance that ....
expressions
asked 16 hours ago
Average Joe
101
New contributor
Average Joe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Neither of those sound right to me. Normally you'd say "by mere chance", as in, "they met in Paris by mere chance". That is, there was no intention to meet, and they may not even have known each other was there.
– ralph.m
16 hours ago
3
@ralph.m Nothing wrong with “It was mere chance that brought them together” to me, or even “It was mere chance that they met in Paris”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
16 hours ago
When do we need to add the "a" in "it is a mere chance that.." Or is that totally unnecessary?
– Average Joe
15 hours ago
The article is unnecessary, but not incorrect. However, did you consult a dictionary before you asked here? Our Help Centre says "Be sure to mention the research you've done and what you're still hoping to learn!"
– Chappo
4 hours ago
add a comment |
Which one is correct? Or better asked, is it OK to use either one at any given time?
THank you
it is mere chance that ....
it is a mere chance that ....
expressions
asked 16 hours ago
Average Joe
101
New contributor
Average Joe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Which one is correct? Or better asked, is it OK to use either one at any given time?
THank you
it is mere chance that ....
it is a mere chance that ....
expressions
expressions
asked 16 hours ago
Average Joe
101
New contributor
Average Joe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 16 hours ago
Average Joe
101
New contributor
Average Joe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 16 hours ago
Average Joe
101
New contributor
Average Joe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 16 hours ago
Average Joe
101
asked 16 hours ago
Average Joe
101
101
New contributor
Average Joe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Average Joe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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Check out our Code of Conduct.
Neither of those sound right to me. Normally you'd say "by mere chance", as in, "they met in Paris by mere chance". That is, there was no intention to meet, and they may not even have known each other was there.
– ralph.m
16 hours ago
3
@ralph.m Nothing wrong with “It was mere chance that brought them together” to me, or even “It was mere chance that they met in Paris”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
16 hours ago
When do we need to add the "a" in "it is a mere chance that.." Or is that totally unnecessary?
– Average Joe
15 hours ago
The article is unnecessary, but not incorrect. However, did you consult a dictionary before you asked here? Our Help Centre says "Be sure to mention the research you've done and what you're still hoping to learn!"
– Chappo
4 hours ago
add a comment |
Neither of those sound right to me. Normally you'd say "by mere chance", as in, "they met in Paris by mere chance". That is, there was no intention to meet, and they may not even have known each other was there.
– ralph.m
16 hours ago
3
@ralph.m Nothing wrong with “It was mere chance that brought them together” to me, or even “It was mere chance that they met in Paris”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
16 hours ago
When do we need to add the "a" in "it is a mere chance that.." Or is that totally unnecessary?
– Average Joe
15 hours ago
The article is unnecessary, but not incorrect. However, did you consult a dictionary before you asked here? Our Help Centre says "Be sure to mention the research you've done and what you're still hoping to learn!"
– Chappo
4 hours ago
Neither of those sound right to me. Normally you'd say "by mere chance", as in, "they met in Paris by mere chance". That is, there was no intention to meet, and they may not even have known each other was there.
– ralph.m
16 hours ago
Neither of those sound right to me. Normally you'd say "by mere chance", as in, "they met in Paris by mere chance". That is, there was no intention to meet, and they may not even have known each other was there.
– ralph.m
16 hours ago
3
3
@ralph.m Nothing wrong with “It was mere chance that brought them together” to me, or even “It was mere chance that they met in Paris”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
16 hours ago
@ralph.m Nothing wrong with “It was mere chance that brought them together” to me, or even “It was mere chance that they met in Paris”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
16 hours ago
When do we need to add the "a" in "it is a mere chance that.." Or is that totally unnecessary?
– Average Joe
15 hours ago
When do we need to add the "a" in "it is a mere chance that.." Or is that totally unnecessary?
– Average Joe
15 hours ago
The article is unnecessary, but not incorrect. However, did you consult a dictionary before you asked here? Our Help Centre says "Be sure to mention the research you've done and what you're still hoping to learn!"
– Chappo
4 hours ago
The article is unnecessary, but not incorrect. However, did you consult a dictionary before you asked here? Our Help Centre says "Be sure to mention the research you've done and what you're still hoping to learn!"
– Chappo
4 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Both are correct.
Typically, the indefinite article “a” refers to something uncertain, unknown or abstract, however in this case the word “a” is added for emphasis. Furthermore, the word chance implies uncertainty by default so without any specifics.
I do find Ralph’s comment “by mere chance” as being frequent and casual in conversation and writing.
answered 14 hours ago
James Axsom
583
You mean "by mere chance" when you said "by chance". Please update your answer so I set it as the accepted answer.
– Average Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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active
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Both are correct.
Typically, the indefinite article “a” refers to something uncertain, unknown or abstract, however in this case the word “a” is added for emphasis. Furthermore, the word chance implies uncertainty by default so without any specifics.
I do find Ralph’s comment “by mere chance” as being frequent and casual in conversation and writing.
answered 14 hours ago
James Axsom
583
You mean "by mere chance" when you said "by chance". Please update your answer so I set it as the accepted answer.
– Average Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
Both are correct.
Typically, the indefinite article “a” refers to something uncertain, unknown or abstract, however in this case the word “a” is added for emphasis. Furthermore, the word chance implies uncertainty by default so without any specifics.
I do find Ralph’s comment “by mere chance” as being frequent and casual in conversation and writing.
answered 14 hours ago
James Axsom
583
You mean "by mere chance" when you said "by chance". Please update your answer so I set it as the accepted answer.
– Average Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
Both are correct.
Typically, the indefinite article “a” refers to something uncertain, unknown or abstract, however in this case the word “a” is added for emphasis. Furthermore, the word chance implies uncertainty by default so without any specifics.
I do find Ralph’s comment “by mere chance” as being frequent and casual in conversation and writing.
answered 14 hours ago
James Axsom
583
Both are correct.
Typically, the indefinite article “a” refers to something uncertain, unknown or abstract, however in this case the word “a” is added for emphasis. Furthermore, the word chance implies uncertainty by default so without any specifics.
I do find Ralph’s comment “by mere chance” as being frequent and casual in conversation and writing.
answered 14 hours ago
James Axsom
583
edited 14 hours ago
answered 14 hours ago
James Axsom
583
answered 14 hours ago
James Axsom
583
answered 14 hours ago
James Axsom
583
583
You mean "by mere chance" when you said "by chance". Please update your answer so I set it as the accepted answer.
– Average Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
You mean "by mere chance" when you said "by chance". Please update your answer so I set it as the accepted answer.
– Average Joe
14 hours ago
You mean "by mere chance" when you said "by chance". Please update your answer so I set it as the accepted answer.
– Average Joe
14 hours ago
You mean "by mere chance" when you said "by chance". Please update your answer so I set it as the accepted answer.
– Average Joe
14 hours ago
add a comment |
Average Joe is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Neither of those sound right to me. Normally you'd say "by mere chance", as in, "they met in Paris by mere chance". That is, there was no intention to meet, and they may not even have known each other was there.
– ralph.m
16 hours ago
3
@ralph.m Nothing wrong with “It was mere chance that brought them together” to me, or even “It was mere chance that they met in Paris”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
16 hours ago
When do we need to add the "a" in "it is a mere chance that.." Or is that totally unnecessary?
– Average Joe
15 hours ago
The article is unnecessary, but not incorrect. However, did you consult a dictionary before you asked here? Our Help Centre says "Be sure to mention the research you've done and what you're still hoping to learn!"
– Chappo
4 hours ago