chances

USAGE SUMMARY

'chances' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the probability of something happening, such as a success, an opportunity, or a risk. For example: "I'm taking a chance and applying for the job - here's hoping I get it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Based on the true story of the wrongful conviction of black boxer Rubin Carter, the film has been criticised for bending the facts, which may have damaged its chances, but its star, Denzel Washington, appears in the best actor category.

The Guardian - Film

What are the chances?

The New York Times

They also know, he said, that there are other people who do have those chances.

The Economist

And while the Yale economist Robert Shiller has long advocated using markets to help individuals protect themselves against things like declining house prices or future unemployment, the chances of that happening now seem smaller than ever.

The Economist

It's only the first couple of weeks of 2015, but the year may as well be over: with the 2016 presidential and congressional elections looming, Republicans are pushing full steam ahead on economy and jobs in an attempt to improve their chances at capturing the White House next year.

The Guardian - Money

The father of the woman at the centre of the controversy told the court on Tuesday: "My daughter is dead, the chances of the foetus surviving are minimal, we have been told.

The Guardian

All the medical experts who gave evidence in the case earlier this week said the chances of the unborn child surviving were minimal.

The Guardian

Juventus had several chances to seal the win, with an effort by Tevez being deflected just past the left upright before a great stop from Weidenfeller denied the Argentinian at point-blank range.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite being bowled out before lunch on the first morning, Warwickshire will fancy their chances of completing a remarkable turnaround, having moved to a position 278 runs ahead with three second-innings wickets intact.

The Guardian - Sport

In Giraldo, he faces a quality Colombian who is at home on the clay, but obviously an opponent against whom he can fancy his chances on any given day.

The Guardian - Sport

Opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim scored a bigger than expected victory in a byelection today, boosting his chances of becoming prime minister.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chances" when referring to multiple instances of opportunity, risk, or probability. For singular instances, use "chance".

Common error

Avoid using "chances" when referring to a singular instance. Instead of saying "There are chances," use "There is a chance."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chances" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple instances of opportunity, probability, or risk. As shown in Ludwig examples, the term indicates the availability or likelihood of something occurring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

35%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chances" functions as a plural noun indicating multiple instances of opportunity, probability, or risk. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its usage is most prevalent in news, sports, and lifestyle content. While alternatives like ""opportunities"" and "probabilities" exist, "chances" remains a common and versatile choice for expressing the potential for something to occur. Remember to use "chance" for singular instances and "chances" for multiple. The high source quality and expert rating further confirm the reliability and appropriateness of using "chances" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opportunities

Focuses on available prospects or openings.

probabilities

Emphasizes the likelihood of something occurring.

odds

Highlights the ratio of success to failure.

likelihood

Indicates the state of being likely or probable.

possibilities

Stresses potential outcomes or events.

prospects

Emphasizes future outlooks or potential.

potential

Highlights the inherent capacity for something to happen.

scope

Emphasizes the extent of possibilities.

room

Focuses on how much space or possibility exists for something.

scope for

highlights potential development opportunities.

FAQs

How to use "chances" in a sentence?

"Chances" is used to refer to the probability of something happening, such as a success, an opportunity, or a risk. For example, "They have better "opportunities" than us."

What can I say instead of "chances"?

You can use alternatives like ""opportunities"", "probabilities", or "possibilities" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "chance" or "chances"?

"Chance" is singular, referring to one instance. "Chances" is plural, referring to multiple instances or the overall probability. Use "chance" for singular instances and "chances" for multiple.

What's the difference between "chances" and "odds"?

"Chances" generally refer to opportunities or possibilities, while "odds" specifically refer to the probability of something happening, often in a context of risk or gambling.