an element of chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an element of chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or outcomes that involve randomness or unpredictability. Example: "In gambling, there is always an element of chance that can affect the outcome of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

But there is always an element of chance here.

The New York Times - Arts

He has become very adept at this, but there is still an element of chance involved.

The New York Times - Magazine

There was certainly an element of chance, but I was also particularly drawn there.

The Guardian - Books

Often, he observed, we are morally responsible for actions that contain an element of chance.

The New Yorker

His new body of work involves an element of chance and controlling accident.

Independent

How to Be Both is not a multi-choice narrative, but the textual order depends on an element of chance.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The games that work best have an element of luck and second chances.

The Guardian - Tech

But there was also an element of pure chance in the unfolding of the Hudson River School.

The New York Times

"There's an element of cruel chance at the whims of Mother Nature," Mr. Russianoff, of the New York Public Interest Research Group, said.

The New York Times

Inevitably, there is an element of random chance in the species distribution of domain families; however, we observed that most of domains whose functions are at least partly known are implicated in the plant associated lifestyle.

BMC Genomics

"Meteorologists can find two storms that look almost identical and in similar environments, and one spawns a tornado and one doesn't, so there is a large element of chance, evidently".. Tornadoes are further complicated by the fact that certain small-scale processes — friction at the ground, and where and how much rain evaporates within the parent thunderstorm — also are critical.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of uncontrollable factors on a situation, use "an element of chance" to acknowledge the role of unpredictability.

Common error

Avoid attributing outcomes solely to "an element of chance" when skill, planning, or other factors also significantly contribute. Recognize that chance is often one factor among many.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an element of chance" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the presence of randomness or unpredictability in a situation, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

22%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an element of chance" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that indicates the presence of randomness or unpredictability in a situation. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and widespread use across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific publications. It is essential to use this phrase accurately, recognizing that chance is often one factor among many. While alternatives like "a degree of uncertainty" or "a factor of randomness" exist, "an element of chance" is a versatile and widely understood way to convey the role of luck or unpredictability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a factor of randomness

Highlights the role of random events in determining an outcome.

a touch of unpredictability

Suggests a milder and perhaps less significant influence of the unpredictable.

the luck of the draw

Highlights that fairness or outcomes are subject to pure luck or randomness.

a degree of uncertainty

Focuses on the lack of sureness about an outcome rather than the active influence of chance.

a gamble

Stresses the risk and uncertainty associated with an action.

a roll of the dice

Emphasizes the high-stakes, luck-based nature of a situation.

contingency

Focuses on events that may or may not occur, affecting future plans.

a lottery

Implies outcomes are governed entirely by random selection.

fortuitousness

Suggests something positive that happens by chance.

a hazard

Conveys potential dangers or risks arising from unpredictable events.

FAQs

How can I use "an element of chance" in a sentence?

"An element of chance" can be used to describe situations where randomness or unpredictability plays a role. For instance, "There's always "an element of chance" in investing in the stock market".

What's a good alternative to "an element of chance"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a degree of uncertainty", "a factor of randomness", or "a touch of unpredictability".

Is it correct to say "a element of chance" instead of "an element of chance"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. Since "element" begins with a vowel sound, the indefinite article "an" should be used instead of "a".

How does "an element of chance" differ from "a calculated risk"?

"An element of chance" implies that the outcome is influenced by randomness, while "a calculated risk" suggests that the outcome is based on a deliberate assessment of potential gains and losses, although uncertainty still exists.