a substantial chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"a substantial chance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that there is a significant probability something will happen. For example, "There is a substantial chance that the weather will improve tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I have a substantial chance of winning.

The Guardian

"I have a substantial chance of winning – make America great again," he said.

The Guardian

There's still, I fear, a substantial chance that unemployment will remain high for a very long time.

The Guardian - Opinion

When hiring rates are very depressed, workers who lose their jobs are unlikely to find work quickly, and thus face a substantial chance of becoming long-term unemployed.

The Economist

Everyone knows it, but not many politicians or mainstream journalists are willing to talk about it, for fear of sounding conspiracy-minded: there is a substantial chance that the result of the 2004 presidential election will be suspect.

The New York Times

There is a substantial chance that widening credit spreads, a strengthening dollar as Europe and Japan plunge more deeply into the world of negative rates, and lower inflation expectations will be tightening financial conditions even as recession looms.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

A patent lawyer who represents a generic firm not involved in the case says Astra has a "pretty substantial" chance of winning, as its witnesses "have done a good job in creating the impression there is a third layer" in the Andrx formulation.

Forbes

"I have a plan, but I don't want to ― look, I have a very substantial chance of winning, make America great again," he continued.

Huffington Post

"There's a very substantial chance that it won't work out," Trump told reporters in a press conference with South Korean president Moon Jae In. "That doesn't mean that it won't work out over a period of time, but it may not work out for June 12".

Vice

I have a very substantial chance of winning.

The Guardian

Trump has agreed to meet the 34-year-old Kim in Singapore on June 12, though he warned Tuesday there's "a very substantial chance that it won't work out".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial chance" to convey that an event is more than just possible; it's reasonably likely to occur. This phrase adds weight and seriousness to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial chance" when the possibility is remote or purely speculative. This phrase implies a significant degree of likelihood, so ensure your assessment is realistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial chance" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "chance". It quantifies the degree of likelihood, indicating that there is a noteworthy probability of something occurring. The Ludwig examples show it is often used to describe potential outcomes or risks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a substantial chance" is a common and correct English expression used to describe a situation where something is reasonably likely to occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and widespread use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. It's important to use this phrase when you genuinely want to convey a significant possibility, avoiding its application to remote or purely speculative scenarios. Related phrases like "a significant possibility" or "a considerable likelihood" can serve as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant possibility

Replaces 'chance' with 'possibility', emphasizing the potential for something to happen.

a strong possibility

Emphasizes the strength of the possibility, using 'strong' instead of 'substantial'.

a considerable likelihood

Substitutes 'substantial chance' with 'considerable likelihood', highlighting the high probability.

a good probability

Uses 'good probability' instead of 'substantial chance', offering a slightly less formal tone.

a real prospect

Replaces 'chance' with 'prospect', suggesting a concrete possibility.

a credible possibility

Emphasizes that the chance is believable and likely to happen.

a notable opportunity

Shifts the focus to 'opportunity', implying a favorable chance.

a marked potential

Uses 'potential' to indicate a significant possibility for development or occurrence.

a weighty prospect

Replaces 'substantial' with 'weighty', emphasizing the importance of the prospect.

a fair bet

An informal alternative suggesting a reasonable expectation of success.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial chance" to indicate a significant possibility of something happening. For example, "There is "a substantial chance of" rain tomorrow".

What's the difference between "a substantial chance" and "a good chance"?

"A substantial chance" suggests a higher degree of likelihood than "a good chance". "A substantial chance" implies that the event is quite probable.

Which is more formal, "a substantial chance" or "a significant possibility"?

"A substantial chance" and "a significant possibility" are both relatively formal, but "a significant possibility" might be perceived as slightly more formal in certain contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "a substantial chance" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "a substantial chance" when you want to convey that something is not just possible, but rather quite likely to happen. It's suitable for news reporting, academic writing, and professional communication.