looking for chances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking for chances" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the act of seeking opportunities or possibilities in various contexts, such as personal growth, career advancement, or decision-making. Example: "She is always looking for chances to improve her skills and advance in her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They're looking for chances to show the world that they can be all three — without reprisals.

The New Yorker

"Hospitals don't confine themselves to neighborhoods around themselves; they're always looking for chances to branch out," Dr. Daines said.

The New York Times

The company, Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations, has been looking for chances to reach out to the community.

The New York Times

Marcus Christenson They call him the Tiger and he is an insatiable predator, a perfectly honed hunter, stalking the pitch looking for chances to pounce.

The Guardian - Sport

The leaders of both firms said that they would be looking for chances to expand into bond and currency trading, and to build stock exchanges in places like Japan and Canada.

The New York Times

We've all been there – if you don't know what you're looking for, chances are you've lost valuable lifetime trawling through much of the detritus that is on the web.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But he said he would look for chances to show he can still play.

The New York Times

This spring, however, Torre reiterated to his players that they needed to be more aggressive and look for chances to move into scoring position.

The New York Times - Sports

On "The Last Word," Mr. O'Donnell said he would look for chances to make connections between seemingly disparate stories, the way fiction programs tie together the A, B and C stories in each episode.

The New York Times - Arts

ON THE BASES Jeter is the only consistent threat to steal, and even though he stole only two bases in the past month, he will look for chances to run.

The New York Times - Sports

During her course of study, she took classes on issues related to moral education in the United States and autism and often looked for chances to observe classes in schools that explicitly embraced some educational philosophies (e.g., Montesorri).

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looking for chances", consider the context and choose a verb that accurately reflects the level of proactivity involved. For example, "seeking" implies a more active search than "awaiting".

Common error

Avoid using "looking for chances" when a more specific verb would better convey the intended meaning. For instance, instead of saying someone is "looking for chances to improve", consider "actively seeking opportunities to improve" to emphasize their initiative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking for chances" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, typically acting as part of the predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of actively seeking opportunities or possibilities. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking for chances" is a versatile expression used to describe the active pursuit of opportunities or possibilities. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it carries a neutral tone, the phrase can be adapted to fit both formal and informal settings. When using "looking for chances", consider alternatives like "seeking opportunities" or "exploring possibilities" to fine-tune the intended meaning. Remember to choose a verb that accurately reflects the level of proactivity involved in the search. The abundance of examples and positive feedback from Ludwig AI underscores the phrase's validity and usefulness in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking opportunities

Focuses on a more formal or proactive approach to finding possibilities.

searching for opportunities

Emphasizes the active process of seeking out possibilities.

pursuing opportunities

Suggests a determined effort to obtain possibilities.

exploring possibilities

Highlights the act of investigating different potential courses of action.

identifying opportunities

Focuses on recognizing and singling out potential possibilities.

awaiting opportunities

Implies a more passive approach, waiting for possibilities to arise.

on the lookout for opportunities

Indicates a state of vigilance and readiness to seize possibilities.

trying to find opportunities

Highlights the effort and attempt to locate possibilities.

aiming for opportunities

Suggests that opportunities are goals that somebody wants to achieve.

scouting for opportunities

Emphasizes a thorough and deliberate search for possibilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "looking for chances" to describe someone who is actively seeking opportunities or possibilities in various situations. For example: "She is always "looking for chances" to showcase her skills".

What are some alternatives to "looking for chances"?

Alternatives include "seeking opportunities", "pursuing opportunities", or "exploring possibilities", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "looking for a chance" or "looking for chances" more appropriate?

While both are grammatically correct, "looking for a chance" refers to a single opportunity, whereas "looking for chances" implies seeking multiple opportunities or a general openness to new possibilities.

How does "looking for chances" differ from "waiting for chances"?

"Looking for chances" suggests an active search, while "waiting for chances" implies a passive stance, anticipating opportunities without actively seeking them out.