a certain chance for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain chance for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility or likelihood of something happening, often in a context where the degree of chance is not precisely defined. Example: "There is a certain chance for success if we implement the new strategy effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Weak acceptors also have a certain chance of attracting the strong donor.

Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials

"Travel shows, magazine covers, and of course giving advice to young impressionable girls who they they need to act a certain way for a chance to be a model".

Independent

Or, perhaps, a slim chance for a certain White Night to appear and save the day.

TechCrunch

It seems motivated not by ancient grudges or thwarted ambition, but by two simple, kamikaze calculations: that under Mr Brown's leadership Labour is destined to defeat at the next general election; and that, by ousting him, it can exchange a certain rout for an outside chance of recovery.

The Economist

The crying of the Brazilian father, allowed, even if discretely, every four years in case of a World Cup loss, can be quite the temporal marker, as well as a chance for certain men to excrete whatever else was stuck in their throats while they're at it.

Huffington Post

In this manner, it could be made sufficiently safe for the dispatch of rescue teams and the air transport itself (by avoiding radiation zones, traffic barriers, and security issues), and provide a better chance for getting certain patient categories to the air transport in time to actually help them.

Conflict and Health

In the overall sample, people with dementia had a significantly higher chance than control subjects of being diagnosed with a certain comorbid condition for 15 out of 30 investigated comorbidity complexes and a significantly lower chance for 11 of them.

BMC Geriatrics

But he also leaves a certain amount to chance.

The New York Times - Books

Statistically significant effects are those that are beyond a certain level of chance.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Without a very firm reason for wanting to achieve a certain commitment, your chances of success aren't good.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain chance for", ensure that the context clarifies whether the chance is positive or negative. Providing more context can improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain chance for" when the outcome is highly predictable or nearly impossible. Instead, opt for phrases that accurately reflect the level of uncertainty, such as "a slight chance" or "a high probability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain chance for" functions as a noun phrase modifier, indicating a degree of possibility or opportunity related to a subsequent action or outcome. The word "certain" modifies "chance", suggesting a non-negligible possibility, although not quantified. Ludwig provides examples of the phrase in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a certain chance for" conveys the idea of a non-negligible possibility or opportunity. While grammatically sound, it is not as frequently used as simpler alternatives. According to Ludwig's AI, the phrase is usable and grammatically correct in written English. When employing this phrase, writers should carefully consider the context to ensure that the degree of certainty is appropriately conveyed. Best practice involves clarifying whether that chance is positive or negative, to avoid confusion. Common mistakes include overstating the degree of certainty, or misusing it to express extremely high or low probabilities. Consider exploring alternatives like "a definite possibility of", or "a distinct opportunity for", which may improve overall understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a realistic likelihood of

Uses "likelihood" in place of "chance", highlighting the probability of something occurring.

a distinct opportunity for

Substitutes "chance" with "opportunity", focusing on a favorable circumstance.

a good possibility of

Replaces "certain" with "good", indicating a positive assessment of the chance.

a potential opportunity for

Uses "potential" to describe the opportunity, suggesting it is not yet realized.

a definite possibility of

Replaces "chance" with "possibility" and "certain" with "definite", emphasizing a stronger likelihood.

a significant opening for

Substitutes "chance" with "opening", suggesting an available opportunity.

a reasonable prospect of

Employs "prospect" instead of "chance", suggesting a future possibility based on current evidence.

a notable occasion for

Replaces "chance" with "occasion", highlighting a specific instance or event.

a plausible hope for

Replaces "chance" with "hope", emphasizing a desired outcome.

a considerable scope for

Employs "scope" instead of "chance", focusing on the extent or range of possibilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain chance for" when expressing the possibility or likelihood of something occurring. For example, "There is "a certain chance for" success if we implement the new strategy.".

What are some alternatives to "a certain chance for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a definite possibility of", "a realistic likelihood of", or "a distinct opportunity for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a certain chance of" or "a certain chance for"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "a certain chance for" is typically used when referring to an opportunity or possibility leading to something else. "A certain chance of" is more general. Consider which preposition better fits the context.

What does "a certain chance for" imply about the degree of probability?

The phrase implies that there is some level of possibility, but the exact probability is not specified. It suggests the likelihood is more than negligible, but not guaranteed, as suggested by Ludwig's analysis.