an chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an chance" is not correct in written English.
The correct form is "a chance," as "chance" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "I hope I get a chance to meet you soon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

That is to say, his farming techniques utilize the rotation of plants so that the soils have an chance to replenish themselves.

Stanford University

Its main purpose was frankly commercial, but Baker also saw the story as an chance to pay tribute to his Welsh homeland.

Independent

You could also make the argument that diversions like these provide scientists with an chance to share data they might otherwise leave in a notebook.

The Washington Post

As well as the fiscal benefits of the Cowell empire, The X Factor's open audition process is also an chance for anyone to stand in front of the industry, regardless of age, class or appearance.

The Guardian - Music

"We have to wait until the patients get enough money for the examinations, then we do the diagnosis, then we have to wait for at least three weeks for an chance to do surgery.

The Guardian

The backers of a proposed $1 billion cluster of golf courses, hotel conference centers, restaurants and condominiums to be built on capped and resculptured landfills have seized on the current talks as an chance to advance their goal of getting a series of train stations at their locations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A chance.

The New Yorker

Please, not a chance.

The New York Times

"I'll take a chance".

The New Yorker

"Life is a chance.

The Economist

But take a chance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a chance" instead of "an chance". Remember that the choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound of the following word, not the letter. Since "chance" starts with a consonant sound, "a" is correct.

Common error

The most common error is using "an" before words that begin with a consonant sound, like "chance". "An" should only be used before words that begin with a vowel sound, regardless of the letter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an chance" is intended to function as a determiner ("an") followed by a noun ("chance"). However, this usage is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies this error, emphasizing that the correct form is "a chance."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The query "an chance" is a common grammatical error. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct usage is "a chance", because "chance" begins with a consonant sound. Despite its frequency across various contexts, including News & Media and Academia, it remains grammatically incorrect. Always remember that the choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound, not just the letter, that follows the article. Using "a chance" ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a possibility

Replaces "chance" with "possibility", using a different noun with similar connotations.

an opportunity

Substitutes "chance" with "opportunity", which is grammatically correct and semantically close.

a shot

Uses "shot" as a more informal synonym for "chance", indicating a try or attempt.

a prospect

Replaces "chance" with "prospect", implying a future possibility or likelihood.

a moment

Replaces chance with moment, indicating a specific point in time that presents a possibility.

a window

Uses "window" metaphorically to represent a limited-time opportunity.

a hope

Substitutes "chance" with "hope", focusing on the optimistic expectation of a favorable outcome.

a likelihood

Replaces chance with likelihood, focusing on probability of success.

an outside chance

Adds "outside" to indicate that the possibility is remote or unlikely.

a glimmer of hope

Uses a metaphorical expression emphasizing a small or faint possibility.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an chance"?

The correct way to say it is "a chance". The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

When should I use "an" instead of "a"?

Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u). For example, "an apple" or "an hour" (because "hour" begins with a silent 'h', so the vowel sound 'o' is the first sound you hear). It's about the sound, not just the letter.

What are some alternatives to saying "a chance"?

Depending on the context, you could use "an opportunity", a possibility, or "a shot".

Is "an opportunity" grammatically correct?

Yes, "an opportunity" is grammatically correct because "opportunity" begins with a vowel sound. This is in contrast to "an chance", which is incorrect because "chance" begins with a consonant sound.