chance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chance of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate the likelihood of something happening. Example: "There is a high chance of rain tomorrow." Alternative expressions include "likelihood of" and "probability of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Small chance of rain.

Independent

Slight chance of rain.

The New York Times

No chance of that.

The New York Times

Best chance of the game.

The New York Times

Woods's chance of replicating that?

The New York Times

Little chance of harm there.

The New York Times

A sporting chance of success?

The Economist

Chance of moving: Four stars.

Independent

Fat chance of that now.

The New York Times

Any chance of a V.C.U.

The New York Times

Not much chance of that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Qualify the degree of uncertainty with adjectives like "slight", "fighting", "slim" or "fat" to add descriptive flavor and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "chance of" when you mean an opportunity to perform an action. For example, use "a chance to speak" rather than "a chance of speaking" if you are referring to the opportunity itself rather than the statistical likelihood of it occurring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chance of" primarily functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, serving to introduce the object of uncertainty. According to Ludwig, it acts as a bridge between the concept of probability and the specific event or outcome in question. It is often preceded by existential constructions like "there is" or adjectives that quantify the degree of likelihood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chance of" is an essential tool in English for discussing probability and risk. Data from Ludwig shows that it is used across a wide spectrum of authoritative sources, from the highly formal analysis of The Economist to the practical advice found on WikiHow. While it is often used for weather predictions and sports outcomes, its utility extends to scientific reactions and political forecasts. The key takeaway is its flexibility; it can be easily modified by adjectives like "slim", "slight" or "fighting" to provide precise meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct and universally accepted expression, though writers should be careful to distinguish it from its cousin "chance to" when referring to opportunities rather than likelihoods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probability of

More technical or mathematical in tone

likelihood of

A direct and slightly more formal synonym

possibility of

Focuses on whether something can happen rather than its frequency

odds of

Common in betting, sports and informal contexts

risk of

Specifically used when the outcome is negative or dangerous

prospect of

Often used for future events or opportunities

potential for

Suggests a latent ability or possibility to develop

danger of

Emphasizes the hazardous nature of the potential event

opportunity for

Used when the potential outcome is beneficial

randomness of

Focuses on the lack of pattern rather than the event itself

FAQs

How to use "chance of" in a sentence?

You can use "chance of" to describe the likelihood of an event, such as "There is a high "probability of" success" or "Is there any chance of a breakthrough?".

What is the difference between "chance of" and "chance to"?

"Chance of" usually refers to the likelihood or probability of something happening, while "chance to" refers to an opportunity or permission to do something.

Can I use "likelihood of" instead of "chance of"?

Yes, "likelihood of" is a perfectly valid and more formal alternative that functions identically in most sentences.

What can I say instead of "chance of winning"?

Depending on the context, you might use "prospect of winning", "odds of winning" or "potential for victory".