a late chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a late chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an opportunity that is available later than usual or at a later time than expected. Example: "The team was given a late chance to submit their project after the deadline was extended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

90 Carew with a late chance after Yugoslavia lose the ball in midfield.

The Guardian - Sport

So on to tackle six, and a late chance to reflect on the Super League weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

Southampton wasted what few chances they had, with Adam Lallana blasting a late chance wide.

The Guardian - Sport

Apart from a late chance for Sakho, whose snapshot was saved by Schmeichel, Leicester were comfortable.

The Guardian - Sport

Sterling was introduced with around 20 minutes left – replacing Agüero – and he spurned a late chance.

The Guardian - Sport

The pairing however offers Sir Cliff a late chance to break into the American market, a feat he still craves.

Independent

Goode had a late chance to deprive Quins of the bonus point, but he scuffed his penalty badly.

The Guardian - Sport

Try as they might, the Socceroos couldn't equalise, with a late chance cleared off the line by Shafique Ali.

The Guardian - Sport

Morocco had a late chance to snatch victory but Youssef El-Arabi shot over after a weaving run.

The Guardian - Sport

Interestingly, Racing then declined a late chance to go in search of a fourth try and instead asked Maxime Machenaud to clip over the clinching penalty goal.

The Times

A late chance for Lens to equalise.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a late chance" to convey a sense of urgency or unexpectedness, highlighting that the opportunity arises near the end of a process or timeframe. For example, "Despite trailing for most of the game, the team got "a late chance" to score and win."

Common error

Avoid using "a late chance" interchangeably with "a last chance" if the opportunity is not necessarily the very final one. "A late chance" simply indicates it occurred near the end, while "a last chance" explicitly implies no further opportunities will follow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a late chance" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies an opportunity that occurs near the end of a process or event, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples where it describes opportunities in sports and business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a late chance" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an opportunity that arises near the conclusion of an event or process. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its frequent use in sports reporting and news articles, but it is also suitable for a variety of contexts. While similar to phrases like "a last-minute opportunity", "a late chance" simply indicates proximity to the end, without necessarily implying finality. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a versatile phrase that effectively conveys a sense of urgency or unexpectedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a last-minute opportunity

Emphasizes the very short timeframe before the chance expires.

a final opportunity

Highlights that this is the definitive, concluding opportunity.

a belated opportunity

Implies the opportunity is available later than it ideally should have been.

a last resort

Indicates this chance is being considered because all other options have failed.

a final attempt

Stresses the act of trying something for the last time.

a late break

Focuses on an unexpected positive development occurring towards the end.

a final window

Suggests a limited period during which the opportunity is available.

a late stage opportunity

Highlights that the opportunity presents itself in the advanced phase of something.

an eleventh-hour chance

Uses an idiom to express that the opportunity comes just before it's too late.

a deathbed opportunity

Emphasizes that the opportunity is given at the very end.

FAQs

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

You can use "a late chance" to describe an opportunity that arises near the end of a process, event, or timeframe. For instance, "The company received "a late chance" to revise their proposal before the final decision."

What phrases are similar to "a late chance"?

Alternatives to "a late chance" include "a last-minute opportunity", "a final opportunity", or "a belated opportunity". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the opportunity's timing.

Is it appropriate to use "a late chance" in formal writing?

Yes, "a late chance" is suitable for both formal and informal writing contexts. However, consider the specific nuance you want to convey; more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "a final opportunity".

What's the difference between "a late chance" and "a last chance"?

"A late chance" refers to an opportunity that comes towards the end of something, while "a last chance" specifically means there will be no other opportunities after this one. The distinction lies in whether there's an implication of finality.