chance of death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chance of death" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing risks, medical conditions, or situations that may lead to fatal outcomes. Example: "The chance of death increases significantly for patients with advanced heart disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Going to a doctor increased your chance of death".

The New Yorker

The chance of death was actually 1 in 12.

The Washington Post

It is instead that the conveniently slowed traffic offers a decreased chance of death.

Independent

Studies say that the chance of death due to anesthesia is about 1 in 200,000.

The New York Times

Both found that drinking coffee was associated with a significantly reduced chance of death.

The New York Times

Specifically, an RHR between 81 and 90 doubled the chance of death, while an RHR higher than 90 tripled it.

Harvard University

This doubling in the chance of death every eight years, known as the Gompertz law, implies an intrinsic ceiling to the human lifespan as the chance of death would hit 100% at around 111.

The Guardian

The guitarist beat the odds again to survive an operation with an 85 per cent chance of death.

Independent

But then occupants have less than an 8 per cent chance of death in a two-car collision.

Independent

Repeat aortic surgery has up to a 5% chance of death and a 25% chance of paralysis.

The Guardian

One major German study reports a 22% higher chance of death in patients undergoing surgery at the weekend.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical procedures, use specific numbers (e.g., "a 1% chance of death") to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. This fosters transparency and helps patients make informed decisions.

Common error

Avoid using vague terms like "slim chance" or "high chance" without providing specific percentages or context. This can lead to misinterpretations and potentially cause undue anxiety or false reassurance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chance of death" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a probability or possibility associated with mortality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form, highlighting its widespread use in describing risks and medical outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chance of death" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the probability or likelihood of dying in a given situation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase is frequently employed to communicate risks associated with medical procedures, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. While alternatives like "risk of mortality" and "likelihood of death" offer similar meanings, understanding the context and providing specific numbers can improve clarity and prevent misinterpretations. Its frequent usage underscores its relevance in discussions concerning health, safety, and potential hazards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

risk of mortality

Replaces "chance" with "risk", emphasizing the potential negative outcome of death.

likelihood of death

Substitutes "chance" with "likelihood", highlighting the probability of death occurring.

probability of death

Uses "probability" instead of "chance", focusing on a more statistical perspective.

possibility of dying

Employs "possibility" and changes "death" to "dying", offering a slightly less direct tone.

risk of fatality

Replaces "death" with "fatality", indicating a fatal outcome or accident.

danger of death

Replaces "chance" with "danger", emphasizing the perilous nature of the situation.

threat of death

Uses "threat" instead of "chance", suggesting an impending and serious risk.

prospect of death

Replaces "chance" with "prospect", indicating a future possibility, often negative.

odds of dying

Uses "odds" instead of "chance", providing a more informal, statistical connotation.

potential for death

Focuses on the "potential" for death, which may be less immediate than "chance".

FAQs

What is another way to say "chance of death"?

You can use alternatives such as "risk of mortality", "likelihood of death", or "probability of death" depending on the context.

How do I use "chance of death" in a sentence?

You can use "chance of death" to describe the likelihood of someone dying from a specific event, condition, or procedure. For example, "The surgery carries a small chance of death".

What factors influence the "chance of death" in a medical context?

Factors that can influence the "chance of death" include the severity of the illness, the patient's overall health, access to quality medical care, and the effectiveness of available treatments.

Is there a difference between "chance of death" and "risk of death"?

While "chance" and "risk of death" are often used interchangeably, "risk of death" tends to emphasize the potential negative consequences, while "chance of death" simply indicates the likelihood.