dependent on chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dependent on chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or outcomes that rely on randomness or uncertainty. Example: "The success of the project was largely dependent on chance, as many factors were beyond our control."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Originally, genetic analysis depended on mutations occurring accidentally, but during the last two decades researchers have become less dependent on chance as reverse genetic approaches using targeted gene knock-out strategies have been used to study gene function in the mouse [1].

Plosone

The process is dependent on chance, with some controls.

The New York Times - Arts

It was, in fact, the movie which introduced us most fully to Allen's very serious obsession with death: how fleeting life is, how dependent on chance, and how overshadowed it is by the thought of its approaching end.

The Guardian - Film

Even those coincidences start to contribute to a cleverly nuanced point about how much of the system we assume to be inscribed in stone is actually dependent on chance and individual fortune.

The Guardian - Books

The results show which methods actively minimise the uncertainty and which methods found the goal whilst being more dependent on chance.

Robotics and Biomimetics

However, the main aim is not simply to achieve the highest score, especially because the result will be fundamentally dependent on chance and not on special skills of the players, but to exercise students' knowledge on important aspects about the role of random processes in molecular evolution.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Despite Mr. Tostado's efforts to build tension, the tournament is the dullest part of the documentary; Monopoly, slow-moving and dependent largely on chance, is no spectator sport.

The New York Times

Note that focusing on civilian casualties exclusively rather than including incidents that wounded civilians may, in fact, lead to a biased view of the violence dynamics in Iraq - simply because whether an attack lead to casualties or not may dependent more on chance than intent [29].

EPJ Data Science

However, they did not perform more than ten simulations, so the possibility that their conclusions were dependent on random chance cannot be excluded.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

As a result, the island is in a very different situation to that of the larger islands, which are more dependent on holidaymakers chancing across them as a destination, having found good deals on the internet.

The Guardian - Travel

"I'm dependent on luck here".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with scientific or statistical subjects to maintain an objective tone when discussing stochastic events.

Common error

Avoid using the noun form "dependant" when you mean the adjective. While a "dependant" is a person who relies on another, the state of being reliant is always spelled "dependent" in American English and as the adjective in British English.

How to use

Learn how to use "dependent on chance" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dependent on chance" functions primarily as a predicative adjective phrase that describes the nature of a noun's existence or outcome. It characterizes a relationship where the primary variable is unpredictability, as highlighted in Ludwig examples involving genetic mutations and socio-economic outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dependent on chance" is an essential tool for writers needing to describe stochastic or random processes. Ludwig AI reveals that it is particularly prevalent in Scientific and News contexts, where it effectively communicates a lack of human or deterministic control over an outcome. It is grammatically sound, highly formal and widely recognized across all major English-speaking regions. Using this phrase adds a layer of precision and objectivity to your writing, making it a superior choice for technical reports, academic papers and analytical journalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject to randomness

Uses a more technical noun to describe the element of chance

reliant on luck

Replaces chance with luck, giving it a slightly more informal or human-centric tone

determined by chance

Swaps the adjective dependent for the participle determined to emphasize the causal link

contingent on fortune

Uses more formal vocabulary (contingent and fortune) often found in literature

governed by probability

Shifts the focus to a mathematical or scientific framework

dictated by random factors

Focuses on the specific variables that cause the chance outcome

at the mercy of fate

A more idiomatic and dramatic way to express lack of control

linked to accidental outcomes

Suggests a correlation rather than a direct dependency

stochastic in nature

Highly technical and scientific alternative to describe random processes

influenced by serendipity

Implies a more positive or beneficial form of chance

FAQs

What can I say instead of "dependent on chance"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/subject+to+randomness" target="_blank" rel="alternative">subject to randomness" or "<a href="/s/reliant+on+luck" target="_blank" rel="alternative">reliant on luck".

Is "dependent on chance" formal enough for a research paper?

Yes, it is widely used in scientific literature. However, for a more technical statistical focus, you might prefer "<a href="/s/stochastic" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stochastic" or "<a href="/s/probabilistic" target="_blank" rel="alternative">probabilistic".

What's the difference between "dependent on chance" and "randomly determined"?

While similar, "<a href="/s/randomly+determined" target="_blank" rel="alternative">randomly determined" focuses on the method of selection, whereas the main phrase emphasizes the ongoing reliance on luck for the final state.

Should I use "dependent on" or "dependent of"?

Always use "<a href="/s/dependent+on" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dependent on". The preposition "of" is incorrect in this specific grammatical construction.