decent chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent chance" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means a reasonable or fair possibility or likelihood of something happening. Example: "There is a decent chance of rain tomorrow, so you might want to bring an umbrella." In this sentence, "decent chance" is used to convey that there is a good likelihood of rain, but it is not guaranteed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another really decent chance.

The Guardian - Sport

She's certainly got a decent chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Torres blasted a decent chance wide.

The Guardian - Sport

I give him a decent chance of a surprise win.

Independent

Besides, good biography has a decent chance of selling.

The Economist

The party is now giving itself a decent chance.

The Economist

It now stands a decent chance of being swiftly approved.

The Economist

Because there's a decent chance he will run.

The Washington Post

For one thing, there's a decent chance you'll be wrong.

Harvard Business Review

All four have a decent chance of winning.

The New Yorker

The thing is, he has a decent chance of winning.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decent chance", consider the audience and context. It strikes a balance between optimism and realism, suitable for professional and general communication.

Common error

Avoid using "decent chance" when the probability is very high or virtually guaranteed. Use stronger terms like "highly likely" or "certain" in those cases to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent chance" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "decent" modifies the noun "chance". It qualifies the noun by indicating the degree of possibility or likelihood, expressing that there is a reasonably good prospect of something occurring. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decent chance" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that means a reasonable possibility or likelihood of something happening. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to casual conversations. The phrase functions as a noun phrase with a neutral register. When using it, avoid overstating the probability and be mindful of the audience and context. If you want to change things, consider "good possibility" or "fair opportunity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

good possibility

Uses "possibility" instead of "chance", indicating something that could exist or occur.

real possibility

Similar to "good possibility" but reinforces authenticity.

strong possibility

Emphasizes the high degree of likelihood.

solid likelihood

Replaces "chance" with "likelihood", suggesting a probability assessed with some confidence.

reasonable prospect

Replaces "chance" with "prospect", suggesting a view towards a future event with some basis.

promising opportunity

Highlights the potential positive outcome.

fair opportunity

Substitutes "chance" with "opportunity", emphasizing the availability of conditions for success.

plausible scenario

Focuses on the credibility and feasibility.

realistic hope

Substitutes "chance" with "hope", focusing on a positive expectation that is grounded in reality.

viable option

Replaces "chance" with "option", emphasizing it is practical and workable.

FAQs

How can I use "decent chance" in a sentence?

You can use "decent chance" to express that something has a reasonable possibility of happening. For example, "There's a decent chance the project will be approved if we address the key concerns".

What are some alternatives to "decent chance"?

You can use alternatives like "good possibility", "fair opportunity", or "reasonable prospect" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "decent chance" or "good chance"?

Both "decent chance" and "good chance" are acceptable. "Good chance" might imply a slightly higher probability, but they are often interchangeable.

What's the difference between "decent chance" and "slim chance"?

"Decent chance" suggests a reasonable likelihood of something happening, while "slim chance" indicates that the possibility is low but not impossible.