a certain chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility or likelihood of an event occurring, often implying that the chance is not definite but exists. Example: "There is a certain chance that it might rain tomorrow, so you should bring an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Army spokeswoman Avital Leibovich said there was "a certain chance" the footage was filmed by journalists, but that most was filmed by activists.

Independent

"If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, there is a certain chance that you may find meditation too difficult to do, as you may be re-experiencing traumatic memories," Ruths says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

α is a constant factor (0 ≤ α ≤ 1) and gives a certain chance for the data points in different classes to be more similar so that the dissimilarity in different classes may be smaller than that in the same class.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Of course, when H implies E or the negation of E, or when H is a statistical hypothesis that bestows a certain chance on E, then the likelihood follows "analytically".

SEP

They have, hypothetically, $6000 USD, and there's a certain chance of losing some of it due to an insurable risk.

Vice

I model an individual who faces a certain chance of dying each year.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"We are at a unique point in history, where any two people can create a new startup and have a nearly certain chance of at least modest success," says McClure. "Even if the product fails completely, Google and Facebook will compete to acquire the team and investors will at least get their money back".

TechCrunch

Shark diving in Pacific Harbor, a couple of hours' drive from the international airport on Viti Levu, elbowed its way onto my list because it offers a fairly certain chance of seeing what any honest diver will admit to yearn for: lots and lots of big fish.

The New York Times - Travel

Like his father has been prone to do in a career that has included seven series championships, Earnhardt Jr., a rookie, also sparked some controversy by costing Tony Stewart, last year's rookie of the year, a seemingly certain chance to win the race.

The New York Times - Sports

Because none of the secondary runners will accept a slightly lesser chance of victory, then, they all, collectively, resign themselves to an almost certain chance of defeat.

The New Yorker

Readers will note that none of this works in the banks favor except for the benefits of any delay until some face-saving settlement and a less than certain chance of success on the merits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain chance", ensure the context provides sufficient information about the nature and implications of that chance to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether it is a chance for success, failure, or something else entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain chance" when the likelihood is either very high or extremely low. The phrase implies a moderate level of uncertainty and is less suitable for near-certainties or near-impossibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain chance" functions as a noun phrase, modifying a noun (like 'risk', 'probability', or 'outcome') to indicate an unspecified but non-negligible possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain chance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote an existing but not precisely defined possibility. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is correctly employed across various domains, particularly in news and science, with a neutral register making it suitable for a wide range of contexts. When using this phrase, ensure to provide sufficient context to clarify the nature of the chance being discussed and avoid using it when the outcome is already highly predictable. Alternatives like "a reasonable likelihood" can be used depending on desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable likelihood

Stresses the justification for the likelihood, shifting from the neutral "certain".

a definite possibility

Emphasizes the assuredness of the possibility, differing from the uncertainty implied by "certain".

a distinct possibility

Highlights the clarity and noticeability of the possibility, unlike the vagueness of "certain".

a good probability

Indicates a higher degree of likelihood than a "certain chance" might imply.

a real prospect

Focuses on the potential for future success or occurrence, unlike the general likelihood in "chance".

a plausible scenario

Highlights the believability and reasonability of the scenario, whereas "chance" is less about reason.

a possible opportunity

Highlights potential for benefit, differing from the neutral possibility indicated by "chance".

a fair gamble

Suggests a risk-reward assessment, a connotation absent in "a certain chance".

a potential risk

Emphasizes the negative aspect of the possibility, in contrast to the neutral "chance".

a calculated risk

Suggests a more deliberate and analyzed consideration of risk than "a certain chance" implies.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain chance" in a sentence?

You can use "a certain chance" to describe a possibility or likelihood, as in, "There's a certain chance of rain today". It implies the possibility exists but isn't guaranteed.

What's a more formal alternative to "a certain chance"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a reasonable likelihood" or "a distinct possibility" depending on the context and the degree of formality required.

Is "a certain chance" the same as "a high probability"?

No, "a certain chance" suggests a possibility without specifying the degree of likelihood. "A high probability" implies that the event is more likely to occur. You can also consider "a reasonable likelihood".

When is it inappropriate to use "a certain chance"?

Avoid using "a certain chance" when the outcome is already known or highly predictable. It is best used when there's genuine uncertainty about the result. Instead, you can consider "a definite possibility" or "a distinct possibility".