chance at something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chance at something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an opportunity or possibility to achieve or obtain something. Example: "She finally got her chance at something she had always dreamed of: performing on stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Jane, you have a chance at something new," I said.

The New York Times - Health

"All any of us wanted was a chance at something new, something our parents hadn't already failed at".

The Guardian - Books

But the chance at something big is there for Arkansas, should it reach out and steal a win, and there's another chance waiting just around the corner.

The New York Times

You get a second chance at something that you took for granted before and all of a sudden you see everything you could have lost.

The New Yorker

He loves his town, but sees it is dying, and is determined to give the fans and the team one last chance at something not unadjacent to glory.

The Guardian - Film

"We all have things we want to get back," Tomlinson said, adding that not a game or practice goes by that he does not wish for a second chance at something.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"A small company with less to lose has a better chance at building something new.

The New York Times

"I wanted to try to help kids who needed a second or third chance at doing something well," Burton said.

The New York Times - Sports

The unrest in Syria may have afforded President Assad one last chance at being something more than simply Hafez al-Assad's son.

The New York Times

Line: Cardinals by 1 With a win, each team has a chance at achieving something it has not done in quite some time.

The New York Times

For a foreign artist bringing work to New York, "we get another hearing, we get another second chance at voicing something," he added.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chance at something" when you want to emphasize the availability of an opportunity to achieve a specific goal or experience.

Common error

Avoid using "chance of something" when you mean "chance at something." The former refers to the likelihood of an event, while the latter refers to an opportunity to pursue something actively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chance at something" functions as a noun phrase, where "chance" is the noun and "at something" acts as a prepositional phrase modifying the noun. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, indicating it serves to denote an opportunity or possibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chance at something" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that denotes an opportunity or possibility to achieve a specific goal or experience. Ludwig confirms this. While not extremely common, it's frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing a specific opportunity rather than a general likelihood. Alternatives like "opportunity for something" or "shot at something" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opportunity for something

Replaces "chance" with "opportunity", emphasizing a favorable time or occasion.

shot at something

Uses "shot" instead of "chance", implying a try or attempt at achieving something.

prospect of something

Emphasizes the possibility or likelihood of something happening.

possibility of something

Focuses on the potential for something to occur.

hope for something

Highlights the optimistic expectation of achieving something.

potential for something

Stresses the inherent capacity or possibility for something to develop.

likelihood of something

Focuses on the probability that something will happen.

occasion for something

Highlights a specific instance or opportunity for something.

opening for something

Emphasizes the availability of an opportunity or position.

scope for something

Suggests the extent or range of possibilities for something.

FAQs

How to use "chance at something" in a sentence?

Use "chance at something" to indicate an opportunity or possibility to achieve a specific goal or experience. For example, "This is your "chance at something" new and exciting."

What can I say instead of "chance at something"?

You can use alternatives like "opportunity for something", "shot at something", or "prospect of something" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "chance at something" or "chance of something"?

"Chance at something" refers to an opportunity to do or achieve something. "Chance of something" refers to the likelihood of something happening. Use the one that fits the intended meaning of your sentence.

What's the difference between "chance at something" and "opportunity for something"?

While similar, ""chance at something"" often implies a single, specific instance, while "opportunity for something" can refer to a broader, ongoing possibility.