chance of failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chance of failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood or probability of an unsuccessful outcome in various contexts, such as projects, tasks, or processes. Example: "Before we proceed with the launch, we need to assess the chance of failure associated with this new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There's a huge chance of failure".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, there is a significant chance of failure.

The Guardian

There was a a significant chance of failure.

The Guardian

"They may be deterred by a significant chance of failure".

The New York Times

They take a salary from the business increasing its chance of failure.

The Guardian

Instead, it would seek a channel with a lower chance of failure.

The New York Times

The woman is going into a job with a high chance of failure to begin with".

The Guardian

In Elon's mind, I don't think he thinks there's a chance of failure.

The New York Times

"It's only a risk if you think there's a chance of failure.

The New York Times

For me, when there's more chance of failure than success, it's a good combination for a project.

The New Yorker

With the chance of failure comes fear and this is the fear that really gets our collective creative juices flowing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects or plans, quantify the "chance of failure" with specific data or estimates whenever possible to provide a more concrete understanding of the risks involved.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "chance of failure" without providing context or evidence. Saying there's a "chance of failure" without explaining why or how significant that chance is can be misleading or alarmist. Always provide supporting information or data to justify your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chance of failure" functions primarily as a noun phrase expressing the possibility or probability of an unsuccessful outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, with examples showing usage in various contexts to denote risk assessment and potential for adverse results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chance of failure" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies the possibility or probability of an unsuccessful outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct and is widely employed across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. The phrase serves the communicative purpose of risk assessment and informs decision-making processes. While its register can vary from neutral to formal, the core meaning remains consistent. Alternatives include "risk of failure", "likelihood of failure", and "possibility of failure". When using "chance of failure", it's crucial to provide sufficient context and evidence to avoid misleading or alarmist interpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

risk of failure

This alternative replaces "chance" with "risk", emphasizing the potential negative consequences.

likelihood of failure

This alternative uses "likelihood" instead of "chance", focusing on the probability of the event.

probability of failure

Using "probability" quantifies the "chance of failure" with a numerical assessment.

possibility of failure

Replaces "chance" with "possibility", indicating that failure is one of the potential outcomes.

potential for failure

Shifts focus to the "potential" that exists for failure to occur.

prospect of failure

Highlights the "prospect" or outlook for potential failure.

threat of failure

Emphasizes the "threat" that failure poses, highlighting the negative impact.

danger of failure

Indicates a heightened "danger" associated with potential failure.

risk of not succeeding

Rephrases the concept using "not succeeding" instead of the direct term "failure".

likelihood of an adverse outcome

Broadens the scope to include any "adverse outcome", not just specific failures.

FAQs

How can I use "chance of failure" in a sentence?

You can use "chance of failure" to discuss the potential for an unsuccessful outcome in various situations. For example, "There's a high "risk of failure" if we don't allocate sufficient resources to the project."

What is a synonym for "chance of failure"?

A synonym for "chance of failure" is "likelihood of failure". Other alternatives include "possibility of failure" or "risk of failure".

Is it better to say "chance of failure" or "risk of failure"?

Both "chance of failure" and "risk of failure" are acceptable. "Risk of failure" might emphasize the potential negative consequences more strongly, while "chance of failure" is more neutral.

What does "low chance of failure" mean?

A "low chance of failure" indicates that the likelihood of an unsuccessful outcome is minimal. This suggests a high degree of confidence in the success of a given endeavor.