Cool MateA coincidence is possible vs Fluke
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
A coincidence is possible
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Fluke
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
| A coincidence is possible | Fluke | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ə kəʊˈɪnsɪdəns ɪz ˈpɒsəbl//🇺🇸 //ə koʊˈɪn.sɪ.dəns ɪz ˈpɑː.sə.bəl// | 🇬🇧 //fluːk//🇺🇸 //fluːk// |
| Meaning | It can happen by chance. | A lucky chance or accident. |
| Example | It was just a coincidence that we met here. | Winning the lottery was just a complete fluke. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | strange coincidence, freak coincidence, rare coincidence, happy coincidence | lucky fluke, total fluke, fluke event |
| Antonyms | a planned event, a deliberate act, a designed outcome | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'coincidence' as a verb., Confusing with 'incident' or 'happening'., Misplacing 'possible' as an adjective for 'coincidence'. | Confusing with 'flukes' in anatomy., Using as a verb instead of a noun., Mixing up with 'lucky' or 'chance' in contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use when discussing unexpected occurrences. More formal contexts might prefer 'it is possible that something coincided'. | Often used informally to describe unexpected good fortune. Not suitable for formal writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: A coincidence is possible vs Fluke
What's the difference between A coincidence is possible and Fluke?
A coincidence is possible: It can happen by chance. Fluke: A lucky chance or accident.
Can you show an example of each?
A coincidence is possible: It was just a coincidence that we met here. Fluke: Winning the lottery was just a complete fluke.
Can I use A coincidence is possible and Fluke interchangeably?
Not always. A coincidence is possible and Fluke are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.