a chance of causing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a chance of causing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility or likelihood of something leading to a particular outcome or effect. Example: "There is a chance of causing significant delays if we do not start the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If an investor thinks a piece of news has a chance of causing a sell-off, he is likely to respond by selling, too, thereby feeding the frenzy he anticipated.

The New Yorker

This is why I feel that over 90 minutes, Bradford have a chance of causing an upset, but over two legs it's going to be tough for them.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In vaccination, by contrast, people were infected with cowpox, similar enough to smallpox to confer immunity to it but without any chance of causing smallpox itself.

The New York Times - Books

Cooperation gives a higher possibility of winning a match; going it alone always has a high chance of causing a team loss.

WikiHow

There is only one reason to consider deploying a scheme with even a tiny chance of causing such a catastrophe: if the risks of not deploying it were clearly higher.

The New Yorker

While I never showed up to school decked out in felt cupid appliques or similar, I did sometimes purchase a red and pink top from Old Navy to wear on the big day or a pair of heart-shaped earrings from Claire's Accessories, which had a strong chance of causing an infection by recess.

Huffington Post

The medicine with a 6 percent chance of causing a catastrophic brain hemorrhage.

The New York Times

If these players settle well, together with the three Portuguese European Champions, Rui Patricio, Adrien Silva and William Carvalho, Sporting have a good chance of causing a slight upset and qualifying for the last 16.

The Guardian - Sport

The shuttle astronauts are taking special precautions because the solar arrays, the biggest ever unfurled in space, have a theoretical chance of causing a dangerous electrical arc between themselves and the station.

The New York Times

Railway point systems are highly reliable systems the failure of which could lead to significant system delay and have a high chance of causing a fatal accident.

Measurement

Though Wrexham's home form isn't particularly inspiring, manager Brian Flynn will suggest that those statistics put his team in with a realistic chance of causing an upset.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a chance of causing", ensure that the context clearly indicates the potential negative outcome you are referring to. For example, "There is a chance of causing delays if the project timeline is not followed meticulously."

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the likelihood when using "a chance of causing". Instead of saying "There's a huge chance of causing a disaster", use more accurate and nuanced language like "There is a significant risk of causing major problems" if the probability is indeed high, but not guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chance of causing" functions as a modifier indicating the possibility or likelihood that something may lead to a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct phrase used to express potential consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a chance of causing" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to express the likelihood of something leading to a specific consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid in written English and finds common application across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its neutral tone makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of writing styles. Alternatives like "a likelihood of leading to" or "a possibility of resulting in" can offer a more formal tone, while it's crucial to avoid overstating the certainty when employing this phrase. The phrase effectively communicates potential outcomes, serving as a valuable tool in both informative and cautionary contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a likelihood of leading to

Replaces "chance" with "likelihood" and restructures the verb.

a possibility of resulting in

Substitutes "chance" with "possibility" and uses "resulting in" instead of "causing".

a risk of generating

Replaces "chance" with "risk" and "causing" with "generating".

a prospect of triggering

Changes "chance" to "prospect" and "causing" to "triggering".

the potential for creating

Uses "potential" instead of "chance" and "creating" in place of "causing".

the probability of bringing about

Replaces "chance" with "probability" and uses "bringing about" to substitute "causing".

the odds of initiating

Substitutes "chance" with "odds" and "causing" with "initiating".

a degree of likelihood for

Emphasizes the "degree" of chance, rephrasing with 'likelihood'.

some risk to produce

Uses "some risk" instead of "a chance" and "produce" in place of "causing".

the occasion to bring about

Substitutes chance with occasion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a chance of causing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a likelihood of leading to" or "a possibility of resulting in". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated and professional nuance.

What is a good alternative to "a chance of causing" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, you might prefer "the potential for creating" or "the probability of bringing about". These options emphasize objectivity and precision.

Is it better to use "risk of" or "chance of" causing something?

While both "risk of" and "chance of" are acceptable, "risk of" often implies a more negative or undesirable outcome. The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey. "A risk of generating" suggests a potentially harmful result, whereas "a chance of causing" can be more neutral.

How do I use "a chance of causing" in a sentence?

You can use "a chance of causing" to indicate the possibility that something might lead to a specific outcome. For example: "There is "a chance of causing" significant delays if the project is not properly managed".