a few chances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few chances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of opportunities or possibilities available in a given context. Example: "I only had a few chances to impress the judges during the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I missed a few chances.

The Guardian - Sport

"They had a few chances and we had some chances.

Independent

"There were a few chances we missed out on.

Independent

In the juniors you can let a few chances slip.

Independent

We had a few chances and they didn't go in".

The New York Times - Sports

"We could have put a few chances away," Sawyers said.

The New York Times - Sports

Their goalkeeper was fantastic and we missed a few chances.

The Guardian - Sport

"He had quite a few chances and I made a few mistakes".

Independent

As a result, he needs only a few chances to change the course of a game.

The New York Times - Sports

She had only a few chances to eat it again, though.

The New Yorker

"I thought we really got at them in attack and created a few chances.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about games or sports, use "a few chances" to highlight missed opportunities by players or teams.

Common error

Avoid using "a few chances" when you actually mean there were no real opportunities at all, or when the opportunities were plentiful. "A few" implies a small but tangible number, not an absence or abundance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few chances" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun, typically modifying a verb to describe the limited availability of opportunities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and conveys a small number of possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few chances" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a small number of opportunities. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting its neutrality and broad applicability. While alternatives like "some opportunities" or "limited opportunities" exist, "a few chances" effectively conveys a limited but tangible possibility for success or action. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring that the situation genuinely involves a small, countable number of opportunities to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some opportunities

Replaces "few" with "some", indicating a slightly larger or less definite number of opportunities.

a couple of opportunities

Specifies the number of chances as two, providing a more precise alternative.

limited opportunities

Emphasizes the scarcity of opportunities rather than a specific quantity.

a handful of opportunities

Implies a small number of chances, suggesting they are easily counted or managed.

a limited number of chances

More formally expresses that the chances are restricted.

occasional opportunities

Focuses on the infrequency of the chances rather than their quantity.

infrequent opportunities

Highlights that the chances do not occur often.

a sparse number of chances

Suggests that the chances are not only few but also widely spaced or scattered.

a choice few opportunities

Emphasizes the select nature and limited quantity of the opportunities.

rare opportunities

Indicates that the chances are uncommon and valuable.

FAQs

How can I use "a few chances" in a sentence?

You can use "a few chances" to indicate that someone had a limited number of opportunities to do something, as in, "The team had "a few chances" to score, but they couldn't capitalize on them."

What's a more formal alternative to "a few chances"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "limited opportunities" or "a restricted number of opportunities", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated style.

Is it better to say "a few chances" or "few chances"?

"A few chances" implies there were some opportunities, though not many. "Few chances" suggests there were very nearly none, emphasizing the lack of opportunity more strongly. The better choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a few chances" and "several chances"?

"A few chances" indicates a small number, typically less than five. "Several chances" suggests a larger number, usually between three and seven. While there's some overlap, "several" implies more opportunities than "a few".