a reasonable shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable shot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a fair attempt or effort at something, often in the context of trying to achieve a goal or solve a problem. Example: "Given the circumstances, I think we have a reasonable shot at winning the game if we play our best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Asked whether the corporation is concerned about Mr. Miller's spending, Mr. Don said: "We have reason to believe that Harvey Miller has a reasonable shot at collecting substantial sums of money in this case.

The New York Times

Does City have a reasonable shot at advancing?

The New York Times

And, if led wisely, it has a reasonable shot at joining the normal, democratic world.

The New York Times

Everyone knows that they have a reasonable shot at a meaningful and comfortable life.

The Guardian - Opinion

63 min: Decent jinking by Gouffran, followed by a reasonable shot from 20 yards.

The Guardian - Sport

Up to that point, we thought we had a reasonable shot".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Liverpool lost its ninth match of the Premier League season in England and probably any reasonable shot at finishing among the top four (and earning an automatic Champions League berth), falling by 2-0 to visiting West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on Monday.

The New York Times

This seems a reasonable guess.

The Economist

In other words, to have any kind of reasonable shot at passing the exams, you needed to come from a family with an established tradition of classical literacy, meaning a family with money to buy books or close connections to another such family.

The New York Times

My colleague and I probably agree that on any reasonable assessment, poor Americans don't get a fair shot.

The Economist

"These are nicely composed, and quite reasonable shots," Myhrvold said, scrolling through Redzepi's Instagram feed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a reasonable shot" when you want to express that there is a realistic possibility of success, but success is not guaranteed. Consider using synonyms like "a fair chance" or "a realistic possibility" to vary your language.

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable shot" when you want to express an event is almost certain to happen; this phrase implies a possibility, but not a guarantee. Instead, use expressions like "a sure thing" or "a certainty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable shot" functions as a noun phrase that acts as the object of a verb (e.g., 'have', 'give') or follows a preposition. As indicated by Ludwig, it suggests a realistic possibility or chance of success.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reasonable shot" is a common English phrase used to indicate a realistic possibility or fair chance of success. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, media and business contexts. When you need to express that something has a moderate chance of success, this phrase is a suitable choice. Keep in mind its meaning of 'not guaranteed'. Alternatives like "a fair chance", or "a good opportunity" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fair chance

Replaces "reasonable shot" with "fair chance", emphasizing impartiality and equality of opportunity.

a realistic possibility

Emphasizes that the chance is grounded in reality and is achievable.

a good opportunity

Substitutes the idea of a shot with a general chance to make progress, or act.

a fighting chance

Suggests a difficult situation where success is possible with great effort.

a decent prospect

Replaces "shot" with "prospect", focusing on the likelihood of future success.

a viable option

Focuses on the feasibility and practicality of the possibility.

a legitimate hope

Indicates that there is a valid basis for optimism.

a credible attempt

Highlights the effort made and its believability.

a promising outlook

Shifts the focus to a positive prediction or forecast.

a solid bet

Implies that the chance is worth taking a risk on, like in gambling.

FAQs

How can I use "a reasonable shot" in a sentence?

You can use "a reasonable shot" to indicate that someone or something has a fair chance of succeeding, such as, "With this new strategy, the company has a reasonable shot at increasing its market share."

What are some alternatives to saying "a reasonable shot"?

Alternatives include "a fair chance", "a good opportunity", or "a realistic possibility", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a reasonable shot" or "a good shot"?

"A reasonable shot" implies a realistic expectation of success, whereas "a good shot" can refer to a specific action or attempt. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing the probability of success or the quality of an attempt.

What's the difference between "a reasonable shot" and "a long shot"?

"A reasonable shot" suggests a tangible chance of success, while "a long shot" indicates a very slim chance, often requiring significant luck or unlikely events.