narrow chances

USAGE SUMMARY

"narrow chances" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to when the probability of something occurring is small or there are very few opportunities. For example, "The changes in policy have narrowed our chances of success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If the jury decides in favor of Tourre, it will be because the S.E.C. lawyers gave the government so few and such narrow chances to prevail.

The New Yorker

The commitment from Brown, detailed in a statement from his top aide, Nancy McFadden, came after a flurry of activity in the Capitol on Thursday that revealed the narrow chances of passing climate measures before the end of the legislative session on Aug. 31.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yet this year it bagged 282 of the 350-odd seats in which it stood even a narrow chance of victory.

The Economist

Congress has a narrow chance in Delhi, and in tiny Mizoram in the north-east.The BJP expects these polls to give its candidate for prime minister, Narendra Modi (above, right), momentum in the election year.

The Economist

A Bush administration proposal that sought to deliver a portion of American food aid more quickly and at lower cost to starving people around the world appears headed for defeat in Congress, though there is still a narrow chance a scaled-down version will survive in the Senate.

The New York Times

In order to give a narrow chance of being a keyframe to the low-quality images, we measure the contrast as variance of pixels.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

If arteries in the legs are narrowed, chances are the arteries feeding the heart and brain are narrowed as well.

The New York Times - Health

But Genetic ID executives said it triple-tests each sample to narrow the chances of a false result.

The New York Times

Early on, I realized that specializing in plant systems might narrow my chances for future employment because of the relatively smaller number of academic positions and biotechnology companies devoted to plant research.

Science Magazine

The Court's A.E.D.P.A. jurisprudence is basically made up of decisions in which the Justices have increasingly narrowed the chances of review under the statute.

The New Yorker

The prospect of Iraqi sovereignty reviving from the beginning of July has narrowed their chances of capitalising on the unpopularity of the occupation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "narrow chances" when you want to emphasize that the likelihood of success or opportunity is limited due to specific constraints or circumstances. For example, "Due to the new regulations, businesses now have "narrow chances" of obtaining funding."

Common error

Avoid using "narrow chances" when the situation involves general uncertainty rather than specific limitations. For example, instead of saying "There are "narrow chances" of rain tomorrow", it's more appropriate to say "There is a slight chance of rain tomorrow."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow chances" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, where "narrow" modifies "chances". According to Ludwig, the expression is used to describe a reduced probability or a limited number of opportunities. The phrase functions as a qualifier in a sentence, providing detail about the state of the chances or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "narrow chances" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe limited possibilities or low probabilities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from diverse sources, predominantly from news and media outlets. While not extremely common, its usage is appropriate in professional and neutral contexts. When using the phrase, remember to emphasize the constraints or specific circumstances that are reducing the likelihood of success, and avoid using it in place of general uncertainty. Alternatives such as "slim chances" or "limited opportunities" might be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim chances

Focuses on the reduced possibility of something happening, emphasizing the small likelihood.

slight opportunities

Emphasizes the limited availability of opportunities, differing from "narrow chances" by using 'opportunities' instead of 'chances'.

remote possibilities

Indicates that the chances are not only low but also far-fetched or unlikely.

meager prospects

Highlights the limited and unsatisfactory nature of the prospects.

limited scope

Shifts the focus to the restricted range or extent of possibilities.

reduced likelihood

Directly addresses the decrease in probability.

small probability

Emphasizes the minute chance of occurrence.

thin hope

Highlights the frailty and uncertainty of the hope.

restricted odds

Focuses on the limitations placed on the probability of success.

marginal possibility

Implies that the possibility exists but is barely significant or worth considering.

FAQs

How can I use "narrow chances" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow chances" to describe situations where opportunities or probabilities are limited. For example, "The new policy has created "narrow chances" for small businesses to compete" or "Due to the economic downturn, graduates face "narrow chances" of finding employment".

What are some alternatives to "narrow chances"?

Some alternatives to "narrow chances" include "slim chances", "limited opportunities", or "remote possibilities". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "narrow chances" or "limited chances"?

Both "narrow chances" and "limited chances" are acceptable. "Narrow chances" emphasizes the constraints making the chances small, while "limited chances" simply indicates a restricted number of opportunities. Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "narrow chances" and "small chances"?

"Narrow chances" suggests that specific factors are constricting the opportunities or probabilities. "Small chances" simply indicates a low probability of success, without necessarily implying constraints. For example, "Due to the competitor's dominance, we have "narrow chances" of gaining market share". While "Winning the lottery involves "small chances"."