possible chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possible chance" is not considered correct in standard written English.
It is redundant because "possible" and "chance" convey similar meanings, making the phrase unnecessary. Example: "There is a possible chance of rain tomorrow, but the forecast is uncertain."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Best possible chance to score.

The New York Times

That gives us the best possible chance of winning the challenges which may then occur thereafter".

The Guardian

Give your book the best possible chance of being accepted by an agent.

The Guardian

But Gelfand continued to fight fiercely and found the only possible chance to continue.

The Guardian - Sport

We want to give our kids the best possible chance in life; it's only natural.

The Guardian - Opinion

The revelation instantly cratered any possible chance Nixon could stay in office.

The Washington Post

My job was to give us the best possible chance of winning.

Harvard Business Review

"We'll give Billy the best possible chance to play a part," Lancaster said.

Independent

The most cynical assessment of the matter, though, came from Mr. Diffie, who concluded, "The long-run view of the matter I have is that privacy has no possible chance -- individual autonomy has no possible chance -- against improving communications".

The New York Times

He rode a smart race, found the gaps when he needed them and gave his filly the best possible chance.

The New York Times

There is a heavy responsibility on all the parties involved to give Manchester the best possible chance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "possible chance" in formal writing; choose "chance", "possibility", or "opportunity" instead. Redundancy weakens your message.

Common error

Be mindful of redundant phrases like "possible chance". Opt for a single, clear word to convey your meaning. For example, instead of "a possible chance of rain", simply say "a chance of rain".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "possible chance" is to express a potential or likelihood of an event or outcome. However, the construction is considered redundant. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically incorrect, due to the overlap in meaning between "possible" and "chance".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "possible chance" is frequently used, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to its redundancy. Both "possible" and "chance" convey similar meanings, making the phrase unnecessarily wordy. For clearer and more effective writing, consider using either "chance", "possibility", or "opportunity" depending on the context. Alternatives such as "realistic chance" or "potential opportunity" can provide more precise and grammatically sound alternatives. Though common, especially in news and media, avoiding "possible chance" will improve your writing's clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

realistic chance

Emphasizes the feasibility of the chance.

conceivable chance

Replaces "possible" with a synonym emphasizing conceivability.

potential opportunity

Replaces "chance" with a more specific term for a favorable possibility.

likely possibility

Emphasizes the probability aspect of the chance.

realistic prospect

Indicates that the chance is grounded in reality and has a good likelihood of occurring.

feasible option

Focuses on the practicality and achievability of the chance.

reasonable likelihood

Highlights the plausibility and probability of the chance.

conceivable opportunity

Indicates that the opportunity is imaginable or possible.

available opportunity

Focuses on the presence and accessibility of the opportunity.

plausible eventuality

Suggests that the chance is believable and could happen.

FAQs

What's wrong with using "possible chance"?

The phrase "possible chance" is redundant. Both words convey a similar meaning, so using them together is unnecessary. Choose either "possible" or "chance" for clarity.

What can I say instead of "possible chance"?

You can use alternatives like "realistic chance", "likely possibility", or "potential opportunity" depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to use "possible chance"?

While "possible chance" appears in various sources, it's generally considered redundant and less precise than using either word alone. Strive for clarity by choosing either "possible" or "chance".

How can I avoid using redundant phrases like "possible chance"?

Review your writing carefully and identify instances where you're using two words with similar meanings. Replace the phrase with a single, stronger word or rephrase the sentence to eliminate the redundancy.