"happen to have" vs "have by chance"

Question

"happen to have" vs "have by chance"

Both "happen to have" and "have by chance" are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Happen to have" is more commonly used to indicate that someone possesses something by coincidence or luck, while "have by chance" is less common and may sound a bit formal or old-fashioned. They are comparable but have different nuances.

Last Updated: March 23, 2024

This phrase is used to express that someone has something by chance or coincidence. It implies a sense of luck or unexpected possession.

Examples:

I happen to have an extra ticket to the concert.
Do you happen to have a pen I could borrow?
She happened to have the exact book I was looking for.
He happened to have the key to the locked door.
We happened to have the same favorite movie.

Alternatives:

possess by chance
by coincidence have
luckily have
chance to have
coincidentally have

This phrase is used to indicate possession of something by coincidence or luck, but it is less common and may sound more formal or old-fashioned.

Examples:

I have by chance come across an old friend.
She has by chance found the missing keys.
He has by chance stumbled upon a rare artifact.
We have by chance discovered a hidden treasure.
They have by chance encountered a rare species of bird.

Alternatives:

happen to possess
luckily have
coincidentally have
by coincidence have
chance to have

Answer 1

happen to have

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate possessing something by coincidence or luck.

Answer 2

have by chance

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in modern English. It may sound formal or old-fashioned.

"happen to have" vs "have by chance"

happen to have

have by chance

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