chances are high that

USAGE SUMMARY

"chances are high that" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something is likely to happen. For example: "Chances are high that the weather will be nice tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the chances are high that they'll have to work closely with someone who does.

Princeton University

Chances are high that those loans are unlikely to ever be paid back in full.

The New York Times

The chances are high that Australia will wake up on Sunday morning with a new government.

The Guardian

Chances are high that they will pick Taurasi, whose "killer instinct" they like.

The New Yorker

The chances are high that she'd get verbally scolded very badly.

The Guardian

Chances are high that most of us will have a surgical procedure at some point during our lives.

Harvard University

As a result the chances are high that these two sides will be meeting in the Championship next season.

The Guardian - Sport

"Chances are high that the food you've eaten recently was picked by a Mixtec immigrant," Black points out.

The New Yorker

This is a country of immigrants, so the chances are high that someone within earshot will understand.

The Economist

The chances are high that they'll crash it, and they don't need to get to school that fast.

Harvard Business Review

But as the door is now open for companies to be offered deferred prosecution, chances are high that the SFO will follow suit when it investigates individuals.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chances are high that", ensure the statement following 'that' is a clear and concise declaration of what is likely to happen. This phrase works best when you have some evidence or reasoning to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "chances are high that" when the outcome is truly uncertain or based purely on speculation. It's better to use less definitive language if the likelihood isn't genuinely supported by evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chances are high that" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a strong probability or likelihood of a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chances are high that" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a strong probability or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. Analysis of the provided examples reveals its prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science, as well as authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's important to ensure the statement following 'that' is clear, concise, and supported by evidence, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives like "it is very likely that" or "the odds are good that" can be used to adjust the formality or emphasis. Ultimately, mastering the nuances of "chances are high that" empowers writers to express probabilistic judgments with precision and confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is highly probable that

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a strong probability.

it is very likely that

This alternative uses simpler language to convey a high degree of likelihood.

the likelihood is substantial that

This alternative is more formal, using "substantial" to emphasize the probability.

there's a strong possibility that

This alternative emphasizes possibility while maintaining a high probability.

the odds are good that

This alternative uses a more informal, gambling-related metaphor.

it's almost certain that

This alternative implies near certainty, stronger than high probability.

it is quite possible that

This alternative uses "quite" to slightly soften the strong likelihood.

it is to be expected that

This alternative suggests something is predictable based on current conditions.

it's reasonable to assume that

This alternative suggests the conclusion is based on logical reasoning.

one can anticipate that

This alternative is formal and suggests a degree of expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "chances are high that" in a sentence?

Use "chances are high that" to indicate a strong likelihood. For example, "Chances are high that the meeting will be postponed due to the storm."

What phrases can I use instead of "chances are high that"?

Alternatives include "it is very likely that", "it is highly probable that", or "the odds are good that", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "the chance is high that" instead of "chances are high that"?

While "the chance is high that" isn't grammatically incorrect, "chances are high that" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Chances" implies a general probability, while "chance" can refer to a specific instance.

What's the difference between "chances are high that" and "it's possible that"?

"Chances are high that" indicates a strong likelihood, suggesting that something is very probable. "It's possible that" implies something could happen, but the likelihood might be low. Use "chances are high that" when you believe an outcome is more probable than not.