looking for a chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"looking for a chance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are looking for a chance to do something or an opportunity to achieve something. For example, "I'm looking for a chance to prove myself as a capable leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're like a shark, circling, circling, looking for a chance".

The New Yorker

He was looking for a chance to see the world.

The Guardian

"But I feel completely better now and I'm just looking for a chance.

The New York Times - Sports

I got the sense she was looking for a chance to put me on my heels.

The New Yorker

"Always, you're looking for a chance to meet up with the U.S. president," the adviser said.

The Washington Post

He was looking for a chance and he took it big style at Motherwell.

The Guardian - Sport

"His agent called us, and said he was looking for a chance," Coach JIM MORA said.

The New York Times - Sports

Varmints looking for a chance to slam the door in your face.

The New Yorker

And all the boys looking for a chance, well, they're going to get their chance.

The Guardian - Sport

But somebody gave us a chance — just like these folks up here are looking for a chance.

The New York Times

Manningham is looking for a chance at more receptions and more money (with Tampa Bay a possible destination).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking for a chance" to convey a sense of hopefulness and anticipation for an opportunity to arise.

Common error

Avoid using "looking for a chance" when the context requires a more proactive approach. For instance, instead of saying someone is "looking for a chance" to improve, emphasize their active efforts by stating they are "taking steps to improve."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking for a chance" functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun, describing someone or something in a state of seeking an opportunity. Ludwig confirms the correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking for a chance" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a desire for an opportunity. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news media, formal business contexts, and more informal settings. While its register is generally neutral, considering synonyms like "seeking an opportunity" can enhance formality when needed. Be mindful of using the phrase in contexts requiring proactive action rather than passive anticipation. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for expressing hopefulness and readiness for potential opportunities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking an opportunity

Replaces "looking" with the more formal "seeking", emphasizing the active pursuit of a chance.

searching for an opening

Substitutes "chance" with "opening", suggesting a gap or vacancy to be exploited.

desiring an opportunity

Replaces "looking" with "desiring", highlighting the strong wish for a chance.

pursuing an opportunity

Emphasizes the active chase or pursuit of a chance, which might be more intentional than simply 'looking'.

awaiting an opportunity

Highlights the aspect of waiting and being prepared for a chance when it arises.

on the lookout for an opportunity

Adds the nuance of vigilance and actively watching for a chance to appear.

trying to find a break

Uses the informal term "break" instead of "chance", suitable for casual contexts.

seeking a breakthrough

Suggests a more significant or transformative opportunity than a simple chance.

scouting for a possibility

Implies a careful and deliberate search for a potential chance.

angling for an opportunity

Uses a more figurative term, "angling", suggesting a subtle or indirect way of trying to obtain a chance.

FAQs

How can I use "looking for a chance" in a sentence?

"Looking for a chance" describes someone hoping for an opportunity. For example, "He is "looking for a chance" to showcase his skills during the project."

What can I say instead of "looking for a chance"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking an opportunity", "searching for an opening", or "desiring an opportunity" depending on the context.

Is "looking for a chance" formal or informal?

"Looking for a chance" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. For more formal situations, consider using "seeking an opportunity".

How does "looking for a chance" differ from "creating a chance"?

"Looking for a chance" implies passively waiting for an opportunity to arise, while "creating a chance" suggests actively making an opportunity happen through one's own efforts.