not a chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not a chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as an emphatic way to express a negative answer to a request or suggestion. For example: Person 1: "Do you want to come over and watch a movie tonight?" Person 2: "Not a chance!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not a chance, Bernie.

The New York Times

Please, not a chance.

The New York Times

He said, "Not a chance".

The New Yorker

"Not a chance," Michael replied.

The New Yorker

At length: Not a chance.

The New Yorker

Not a chance, Ramos said.

The New Yorker

"Not a chance," I said.

The New Yorker

Not a chance, she'd thought.

The New Yorker

Not a chance in hell.

Independent

Not a chance in the world.

The New Yorker

Ho, ho, I said, not a chance.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not a chance" to express a firm refusal or strong disbelief in a situation where a direct and emphatic response is appropriate. This phrase adds a touch of informality and can be more impactful than a simple 'no'.

Common error

While "not a chance" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "absolutely not" or "that is not possible" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not a chance" functions as an idiomatic adverbial phrase, emphatically negating a suggestion or possibility. It adds a tone of strong disagreement or disbelief, as evidenced by the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not a chance" is a common and emphatic way to express refusal or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While its usage is very common in News & Media, one should be cautious about employing it in more formal settings, opting for alternatives like "absolutely not" or "impossible" instead. As illustrated by numerous examples from Ludwig, this idiomatic phrase adds a strong, informal tone to any denial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely not

Expresses a firm and unequivocal refusal, similar in strength to "not a chance".

no way

An informal way to express strong disagreement or refusal.

no chance in hell

An intensifier for "not a chance", indicating extreme improbability or refusal.

no possibility

Indicates that something is impossible or highly unlikely.

not a prayer

Similar to "not a chance", implying there's no hope or possibility.

out of the question

Indicates that something is not allowed or acceptable.

never

Emphasizes that something will not happen at any time.

by no means

A more formal way to express strong disagreement or denial.

forget about it

An informal expression dismissing a suggestion or possibility.

impossible

States that something cannot be done or achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "not a chance" in a sentence?

You can use "not a chance" to express strong disagreement or refusal. For example, "Do you think he'll apologize?" "Not a chance!"

What are some alternatives to "not a chance"?

Alternatives to "not a chance" include "absolutely not", "no way", or "out of the question" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "not a chance in hell" more emphatic than "not a chance"?

Yes, "not a chance in hell" is a more emphatic and forceful way of saying "not a chance". It adds a stronger sense of impossibility or refusal.

When is it inappropriate to use "not a chance"?

It's generally inappropriate to use "not a chance" in formal business correspondence, academic writing, or other situations where a professional tone is required. More formal phrases are better suited for those contexts.