only one chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only one chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that there is a singular opportunity to do something, often implying that it is crucial to take action. Example: "In this competition, you have only one chance to impress the judges with your performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Boungou-Pouaty warns that Mr. Sarkozy would have only one chance to make good on his message.

The New York Times

"In poor countries like ours, children have only one chance.

The New York Times - Health

There's only one chance to make a first impression, and this is it.

The Washington Post

With end-of-life care there's only one chance to get it right.

The Guardian

"There's only one chance out there and I was always going to give my utmost".

The Guardian - Sport

But as for Aristotle, Aeschylus and poor Agathon, only one chance now remains.

The Guardian - Opinion

The people hurt by Mr. Cheney's reactionary votes had only one chance, or no chance.

The New York Times

They got only one chance to make a first impression; I had a budget.

The New York Times

Dale Jarrett had only one car to pass and only one chance to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

There was only one chance to get the response right, and the consequences of failure were irreparable.

The Washington Post

There is an old saying in politics that you have only one chance to make a first impression.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only one chance" to highlight the critical nature of a situation, where failure to capitalize on the present moment results in irreversible consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "only one chance" in trivial situations; reserve it for scenarios where the stakes are genuinely high and the outcome significantly impacts future prospects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only one chance" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied), to emphasize the singularity and criticality of an opportunity. As Ludwig AI suggests, it highlights the unique aspect of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66.67%

Science

18.33%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3.33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only one chance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, primarily functioning as an adjectival modifier to underscore the singularity and critical nature of an opportunity. According to Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough for neutral communication styles, but is best reserved for important situations. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. Consider alternatives like ""single opportunity"" or ""sole opportunity"" to adapt the tone to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

single opportunity

Emphasizes the singularity of the opportunity, similar to "only one chance".

just one opportunity

Directly emphasizes the singular nature of the chance.

sole opportunity

Stresses that there are no other opportunities available.

one shot

A more informal and concise way of expressing "only one chance".

only shot at it

An informal expression stressing the lack of alternative attempts.

unique opportunity

Highlights the opportunity's distinctiveness rather than just its singularity.

limited opportunity

Focuses on the restricted nature of the chance.

last chance

Indicates that this is the final opportunity available.

non-repeatable opportunity

A more formal way to emphasize that the opportunity will not occur again.

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

Highlights the rarity and special nature of the opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "only one chance" in a sentence?

You can use "only one chance" to emphasize the importance of a single opportunity. For example, "You have "only one chance" to make a first impression, so make it count."

What's a more formal way to say "only one chance"?

A more formal alternative to "only one chance" could be "a "single opportunity"" or "a "sole opportunity"", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "only one chance"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase ""only one chance"" is a common and accepted expression in English.

What does "only one chance" imply?

The phrase ""only one chance"" implies that there will be no other opportunities to achieve a desired outcome, making the current moment crucial.