hard chance

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase "hard chance" is not technically incorrect, but it is very informal and not commonly used in written English.
It is usually used in spoken English to express empathy or sympathy, such as when someone has just faced a difficult challenge. For example, you might say "That was a hard chance you got dealt."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It was a very hard chance, low to his left.

The Guardian - Sport

It was an incredibly hard chance, yet we've almost come to expect Collingwood to take those.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a hard chance but it was unmistakably a chance and with Jayawardene in this sort of order it needed to be taken.

Independent

Sarwan, who gave a hard chance to Graham Thorpe in the gully on 92, was more circumspect, but the partnership was prospering again.

The Guardian - Sport

A ruddy hard chance, to be fair – the ball was fair blasted down the ground, Sammy flung out a hand, and though ball did hit palm it never looked remotely inclined to stick around.

The Guardian - Sport

As in all hit-and-hope charges home, there were nerves jangling all around the pitch - but you would not have expected Ed Joyce to spill the direct if hard chance at long-off off Justin Kemp when he was on 24, with Kent needing 49 off the last five.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The keeping, for all the stats piling up, is still scrappy and there are too many relatively straightforward chances missed and too few hard chances taken.

The Guardian - Sport

If you worked hard, chances are you'd have a job for life, with a decent paycheck, good benefits, and the occasional promotion.

The Guardian

I think we may have the best defensive stats in the league right now, but that's only because we're so slow in the infield that we never even get to the hard chances.

The New Yorker

They went at nearly five an over which is very unlike them and they weren't as disciplined as we are used to seeing them, with a couple of hard chances going through the slips.

BBC

If you worked hard, chances are you'd have a job for life, with a decent paycheck and good benefits and the occasional promotion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal or academic writing, replace "hard chance" with more appropriate alternatives like "difficult opportunity" or "challenging prospect".

Common error

Avoid using "hard chance" in formal writing scenarios; its informal tone can diminish the perceived professionalism of your content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard chance" functions as a noun phrase, where "hard" modifies the noun "chance". Ludwig AI identifies it as informal and suggests its primary use is to express empathy or describe a difficult challenge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard chance" is an informal way to describe a difficult opportunity or express sympathy for someone facing a challenge. While grammatically acceptable, it's not typically used in formal writing. Ludwig AI points out that this expression is mostly found in informal spoken contexts. For more formal situations, alternatives like "difficult opportunity" or "challenging prospect" are more suitable. While not incorrect, using this phrase could be seen as unprofessional in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult opportunity

Replaces the informal "hard" with the more formal "difficult" while retaining the core meaning of a challenging opportunity.

slim chance

Indicates a low probability of success, focusing on the likelihood aspect rather than the difficulty.

tough break

An idiomatic expression conveying bad luck or an unfortunate situation.

unfavorable opportunity

Emphasizes the negative or disadvantageous aspects of the opportunity.

challenging prospect

Highlights the difficulty involved in the potential outcome or success.

demanding opportunity

Stresses the high level of effort or skill required.

uphill battle

An idiomatic expression indicating a difficult and prolonged struggle.

tough situation

Shifts the focus from the "chance" itself to the overall challenging circumstances.

formidable challenge

Highlights the intensity and potential obstacles involved.

remote possibility

Focuses on the low likelihood of the event occurring, rather than the difficulty.

FAQs

What does "hard chance" mean?

The phrase "hard chance" generally refers to a difficult or challenging opportunity. However, it's considered informal.

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

While not incorrect, "hard chance" is informal. Example: That was a "hard chance" you got dealt.

What are some alternatives to "hard chance"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult opportunity", "slim chance", or "challenging prospect" depending on the context.

Is "hard chance" grammatically correct?

The phrase is grammatically acceptable but is considered informal and not typically used in formal writing.