depend on chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "depend on chance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that happens or is decided by a random, unpredictable event. For example, "Our success or failure in this project will depend on chance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

His films look a lot as if they depend on chance.

The Guardian - Film

They also depend on chance and coincidence to a degree that would make Dickens blush – except that Newman shows no shame.

The Guardian - Books

Purim is remarkable in two ways: One is that the outcome seems to depend on chance events: Esther being a secret Jew in the palace, Mordecai learning of the plot against the king, the king reading the records of Mordecai's loyalty at just the right moment.

Huffington Post

Particularly in smaller study groups, the precise position of deciles may to some extent depend on chance.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

It must not depend on chance whether refugee children in Germany are best protected and cared for".

Unicef

The mean costs, QALYs and MNBs for each treatment were calculated from the 5000 simulations; these are referred to as the probabilistic results since they depend on chance.

BMC Gastroenterology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It will depend on chances he gets in that first season with United".

BBC

It will depend on chances he gets in that first season with United". Where does he fit in to Louis van Gaal's side?

BBC

That depends on chance, as well as the size and sensitivity of the detector.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I wanted to write a memoir to explain how purely life depends on chance.

The Guardian - Books

Neither doctors nor patients like to consider how much of medicine depends on chance.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depend on chance" when you want to emphasize that an outcome is uncertain and influenced by random factors rather than skill or planning.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "depend on chance" can sometimes sound informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "rely on probabilistic models" or "be subject to stochastic variation" for increased formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depend on chance" functions as a verb phrase indicating that an outcome is contingent upon random or unpredictable events. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "depend on chance" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey that an outcome is contingent upon random or unpredictable events. As Ludwig AI accurately states, it's suitable for general use, although more formal contexts might benefit from alternative phrasings. Common sources include news media and scientific publications. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively communicates the influence of randomness, reminding us that not all outcomes are within our control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rely on luck

Replaces "chance" with a direct synonym, focusing on good fortune as the influencing factor.

hinge on randomness

Emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the determining factor.

be a matter of luck

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the role of chance.

be subject to fate

Introduces the concept of destiny as the governing force.

be determined by unforeseen events

Highlights the unexpected nature of the influencing circumstances.

be contingent on circumstances

Focuses on external conditions playing a role.

rest on happenstance

Uses a less common word for chance, emphasizing accidental occurrences.

be at the mercy of luck

Suggests a lack of control over the outcome.

be governed by fortune

Similar to 'fate', but with a slightly lighter connotation.

rest on fortuity

Uses a more formal synonym for chance, highlighting the accidental aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "depend on chance" in a sentence?

You can use "depend on chance" to indicate that the result of something is uncertain and relies on random events. For example, "Whether the experiment succeeds may "depend on chance"."

What is a more formal alternative to "depend on chance"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "be contingent on unforeseen circumstances" or "rely on probabilistic outcomes" instead of "depend on chance".

Is it correct to say something "depends on chance", or is there a better phrasing?

Yes, it is correct to say something "depends on chance". The phrasing is grammatically sound and commonly used. However, you could also say it "relies on luck" or is "subject to fate" for slight variations.

What does it mean when something "depends on chance"?

When something "depends on chance", it means its outcome is not guaranteed and is heavily influenced by unpredictable or random factors. The result is uncertain and could vary significantly.