depend on chances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depend on chances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reliance on uncertain outcomes or situations that are left to fate. Example: "In life, we often have to depend on chances, especially when making important decisions without all the information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 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

Indeed, the nearly simultaneous changes in places as far apart as New York and Allentown, Pennsylvania, let alone New York and Missouri, would be very unlikely to depend on chance wind-blown dispersions.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

MNBs were calculated using the base case parameter values shown in Additional file 1; these are referred to as the deterministic results since they do not depend on chance.

BMC Gastroenterology

It is important to recognize that some of the most important events in our lives, as scientists and people, depend on luck or chance.

eLife

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

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depend on chances" when you want to emphasize that an outcome is not guaranteed and is subject to unpredictable factors. For instance, when discussing strategies with uncertain results.

Common error

Avoid using "depend on chances" excessively, especially when more precise terms like "rely on probabilities" or "hinge on specific factors" would provide greater clarity and insight into the reasons for uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depend on chances" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that an outcome is contingent on uncertain events or opportunities. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English. Examples show its use in contexts where success is not guaranteed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "depend on chances" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys the idea that an outcome relies on unpredictable or uncertain events. According to Ludwig, while accurate, it's recommended to consider contexts where more precise language may be more suitable. While the phrase appears across various sources, including news, science, and business, its frequency is relatively rare. Alternatives like "rely on luck" or "trust to chance" can offer subtle shifts in meaning, depending on the intended emphasis. When using "depend on chances", consider the specific context and whether more precise terminology might provide better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rely on luck

This alternative emphasizes the role of good fortune in determining an outcome, differing from "depend on chances" by focusing solely on luck.

trust to chance

A more concise way of expressing reliance on unpredictable events, with a slightly more positive connotation than "depend on chances".

hinge on fate

This phrase conveys the idea that the outcome is predetermined by destiny, adding a sense of inevitability absent in "depend on chances".

rest on fortune

Similar to "rely on luck", but with a more formal tone, suggesting that success is built upon good fortune rather than random occurrences.

be subject to randomness

This alternative highlights the influence of unpredictable events, moving away from the idea of 'chances' as opportunities.

be determined by unforeseen circumstances

This option focuses on unexpected events shaping the result, shifting the emphasis from probability to unexpectedness.

be contingent on happenstance

This more formal phrase emphasizes the accidental nature of events affecting the outcome, making it less direct than "depend on chances".

turn on serendipity

This alternative suggests a fortunate accident will lead to success, rather than simply relying on uncertain probabilities.

be at the mercy of fate

This option highlights the lack of control over the situation, a stronger sentiment than simply depending on chances.

gamble on possibilities

This phrase suggests a deliberate risk-taking approach, differing from passively depending on chances.

FAQs

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

You can use "depend on chances" to describe situations where the outcome relies on unpredictable events or probabilities. For example: "The success of the project will "depend on chances" and unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "depend on chances"?

Alternatives include "rely on luck", "hinge on fate", or "trust to chance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "depend on chance" or "depend on chances"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "depend on chances" implies that multiple opportunities or probabilities are involved. "Depend on chance" suggests a single, unpredictable event.

What's the difference between "depend on luck" and "depend on chances"?

"Depend on luck" /s/depend+on+luck implies a reliance on good fortune, while "depend on chances" suggests a broader reliance on the probabilities of different outcomes, whether positive or negative.