it could be coincidence vs it can be coincidence

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'It could be coincidence' implies a possibility or likelihood that something is a coincidence, while 'it can be coincidence' suggests a more definitive statement. The choice between 'could' and 'can' depends on the level of certainty or possibility you want to convey.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

it could be coincidence

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to express the possibility or likelihood that something is a coincidence.

Examples:

It could be coincidence that we both arrived at the same time.
It could be coincidence that they have the same birthday.
It could be coincidence that we both chose the same book to read.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mr. Esterhase: It could be coincidence but...
"It could be coincidence but..."
Or it could be a coincidence.
It was weird, yes, but it could be a coincidence.
I mean, could it be coincidence?
But after 25 years in a hospice working with people, many of whom were pronounced dead but then miraculously survived the account of what they actually experienced were so strikingly similar it couldn't just be coincidence.
I knew it couldn't be a coincidence.
It could possibly be a coincidence.
It could just be a coincidence.
I knew that it couldn't be a coincidence, so I checked.
IT COULD BE A COINCIDENCE, OR AN ANOMALY. I CAN'T BE SURE
It could be just a coincidence, some random werewolf travelling through?
It could just be a coincidence, all right?
I mean, it could all just be a coincidence, right?
Statistically, given the size of the campus, it could be a complete coincidence that the murdered student is also a member of the group of sociopathic young male cadaver thieves.
It might be coincidence but let's find out.
Seems a little too coincidental to be coincidence, in my book.
It can't be coincidence that the one thing we need to save your life is so close.
So it just be coincidence that somebody posted a craigslist ad an hour ago that says, looking for Sophie B. Hawkins,
Look, whatever it is in here that made you consider agent Morgan a suspect has to be coincidencE

Alternatives:

It might be coincidence
It may be coincidence
It is possible that it's a coincidence

it can be coincidence

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to suggest a more definitive statement that something is a coincidence.

Examples:

It can be coincidence that they both have the same name.
It can be coincidence that we both like the same type of music.

Show examples from the web [+]

It can be no coincidence, however, that countries with EU borders have moved faster towards EU membership than others further away.
With all due respect, Captain, that plane is us flying over twice, it can not be a coincidence.
It can surely be no coincidence that, since the Labour Government's brave decision in May 1997, Britain has enjoyed an unprecedented period of economic stability.
It can also be no coincidence that the Labour Government's decision was criticised at the time by the boom-and-bust Tories, who have an outstanding record on economic instability and incompetence.
It can surely be no coincidence that, since the Labour Government's brave decision in May 1997, Britain has enjoyed a previously unknown period of economic stability and been praised by the OECD.
It can also be no coincidence that the Labour Government's decision was criticised at the time by the boom-and-bust Conservatives, who have a record second to none when it comes to economic instability and incompetence.
Can it be mere coincidence that the pattern of EU FTAs is totally biased against the Anglosphere and against UK interests?
It might be coincidence but let's find out.
Seems a little too coincidental to be coincidence, in my book.
It can't be coincidence that the one thing we need to save your life is so close.
Mr. Esterhase: It could be coincidence but...
I mean, could it be coincidence?
"It could be coincidence but..."
But after 25 years in a hospice working with people, many of whom were pronounced dead but then miraculously survived the account of what they actually experienced were so strikingly similar it couldn't just be coincidence.
So it just be coincidence that somebody posted a craigslist ad an hour ago that says, looking for Sophie B. Hawkins,
Look, whatever it is in here that made you consider agent Morgan a suspect has to be coincidencE
- Help me to, because it can't be coincidence that you took a job here given Grayson Global's complicated connection to that flight, to David Clarke.
It was probably just some terrible coincidence.
Despite possible coincidences, this film is fictional.
Criminal coincidence, a couple days.

Alternatives:

It is possible that it's a coincidence
It is likely a coincidence
It is probable that it's a coincidence

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it could be coincidence vs it can be coincidence