What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
coincidentally
Example
I bumped into my old friend coincidentally at the grocery store. [coincidentally: adverb]
Example
Coincidentally, I was just thinking about you when you called. [coincidentally: adverb]
unexpectedly
Example
She unexpectedly received a promotion at work. [unexpectedly: adverb]
Example
The weather changed unexpectedly, and it started raining heavily. [unexpectedly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unexpectedly is more commonly used than coincidentally in everyday language. Unexpectedly is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to describe surprising events, while coincidentally is less common and often used in specific situations involving coincidences.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between coincidentally and unexpectedly?
Both coincidentally and unexpectedly can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, unexpectedly is more commonly used and considered more neutral in terms of formality.