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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 • 1048 views

happen to have

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

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.

Show examples from the web [+]

I happen to have greater reverence for historical artifacts than you could ever imagine.
I happen to have just the problem.
I happen to have some very powerful friends at the Maury Povich show.
I just so happen to have my GPS with me.
I happen to have in my employ a most dependable soothsayer.
I even happen to have a story about a man from Pawtucket.
Only, I happen to have a photograph.
Because I happen to have an opening in my schedule.
I just happen to have been born to Persian Zoroastrian parents.
I happen to have my talking stick...
Actually, I just happen to have some time right now.
They also happen to have amazing dumplings.
I happen to have a knack of finding new members of that family.
I happen to have an immaculately decorated guest room.
I just happen to have my label maker.
I happen to have a dictionary.
I happen to have an old friend who specializes in that area.
I happen to have just the thing for it.
I happen to have an arsenal of hammers.
I happen to have the same thing.

Alternatives:

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

have by chance

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

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.

Show examples from the web [+]

Edvard, we would have by chance a small diameter drill?
They would have met by chance at a café...
The difference in results between these randomisation subgroups may have arisen by chance in view of their limited sample size.
We have arrived by chance where I live.
Yes. Pat and Sally have stopped here by chance.
There. I have here, by chance, some snapshot.
Living creatures are too complex to have come about by chance; therefore, they must have had a designer.
You haven't been chosen by chance.
Firstly, Mr Arlacchi writes that health conditions have deteriorated, almost by chance, since we have been there.
Do we by chance have any intimate couples amongst us today?
I realise that these objectives are ambitious, but they are also realistic and have not been set by chance.
The demographic crisis, human trafficking, global warming, cancer or terrorism have not just appeared by chance or overnight, nor did the problem of rising food prices.
Have you by any chance seen two escapees?
Have you by any chance seen a girl with short hair, a jacket...
We have that chance tomorrow by voting for those amendments.
You haven't, by chance, seen Officer Doughtery?
You haven't by chance seen those pearl earrings that you bought me, have you?
Yes. Listen, have you by chance seen a boy about ten years old, on his own, about this tall?
They think they have a better chance by avoiding the aliens and finding a place to hole up.
Have you by any chance seen two young men running around here tonight?

Alternatives:

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

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