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Prepositions with nouns

Using "chance" with prepositions

"By chance" is a common fixed expression meaning accidentally. "Of chance" is rare and usually not idiomatic in everyday English.

Quick answer

Is it "by chance" or "of chance"?

Use "by chance" to mean accidentally or without planning. "Of chance" is not a normal modern English expression except in rare literary or philosophical contexts.

We met by chance at the airport.
I found the photo by chance while cleaning.
The phrase of chance sounds literary and uncommon.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
by chance

Meaning accidentally

Use the fixed phrase "by chance" for unexpected events.

She discovered the error by chance.
Did you meet him by chance?
2
chance of + noun/verb

Showing possibility

Use "chance of" to talk about probability.

There is little chance of success now.
We still have a chance of winning.
3
by any chance

Making polite questions

Use "by any chance" when asking for information politely.

Do you by any chance know her address?
Have you by any chance seen my keys?

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
by chance
I found the café by chance.
A common expression meaning accidentally.
of chance
"Of chance" appears mainly in rare literary language.
Not a standard everyday combination.
chance of
They have a good chance of winning.
Shows possibility or probability.
by any chance
Are you free tomorrow by any chance?
A polite expression used in questions.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using "of chance" in everyday speech

Modern English normally uses other patterns such as "by chance" or "chance of."

✕ We met of chance. ✓ We met by chance.

Forgetting the preposition after "chance"

Use "chance of" before nouns or -ing forms.

✕ There is a chance win. ✓ There is a chance of winning.

Using "by chance" for probability

"By chance" means accidentally, not possibility.

✕ We have by chance to succeed. ✓ We have a chance of succeeding.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. We met ___ at a concert.
2. There is little ___ finding the file now.
3. Do you, ___, know where Maya is?

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Frequently asked questions

Is "by chance" a fixed expression?

Yes. It commonly means accidentally or unexpectedly.

Can I use "of chance" in normal conversation?

It is uncommon and usually sounds unnatural in everyday English.

What is the difference between "by chance" and "chance of"?

"By chance" means accidentally, while "chance of" refers to possibility or probability.

"behind bar" or "of bar"? "beyond description" or "of description"? by, accident, of, accident "by boat" or "of boat"? "by default", "in default" or "of default"? "by extension", "of extension" or "for extension"? "by lot" or "with lot"? by, of, for, in or agreed-upon definition? by, of, in, into or to category? by, of, in, via or on telephone? by, of, on, for or in bus? by, of, to, with or from professor?

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