reduce the chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"reduce the chance" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, if your company is trying to reduce its chances of getting a lawsuit filed against it, you could write: "Our goal is to reduce the chance of a legal dispute arising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How do we reduce the chance that Iraq will collapse?

The New York Times

Low points reduce the chance of a promotion, she said.

The New York Times

These little pills can reduce the chance of thyroid damage.

The New York Times - Tech

1) Cutting down infected trees to reduce the chance of contagion.

University of California, Berkeley

In some areas, that could reduce the chance of a message getting through.

The New York Times - Tech

"By reducing the vacation, obviously you reduce the chance of forgetting to occur," Mr. Ballinger said.

The New York Times

Militants have often used the to reduce the chance that intelligence agencies will intercept messages.

The New York Times

This analogy to immunization suggested that the rebate would reduce the chance of some economic disaster.

The New York Times

Roads have to be cleared by the army to reduce the chance of rebel attack.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still, White wanted to do as much as he could to reduce the chance of injury.

The New York Times - Sports

To reduce the chance of another attack, thousands of foreigners were detained on minor immigration violations.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduce the chance", clearly state what action is being taken to minimize the possibility and what outcome is being avoided. This enhances clarity and provides context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the chance" without specifying what negative outcome is being mitigated. For instance, instead of saying 'Implement this to reduce the chance', specify 'Implement this protocol to "reduce the chance" of errors'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the chance" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase used to express the purpose or intention behind an action. It indicates an effort to lower the probability of a specific outcome, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce the chance" is a commonly used phrase that clearly expresses the intention to minimize the probability of a specific outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing in diverse contexts such as news, scientific literature, academic writing, and even wikis. To improve clarity, specify both the action taken and the outcome being mitigated. Alternatives like "lessen the likelihood" or "mitigate the risk" can add variety, but "reduce the chance" is generally suitable for most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessen the likelihood

Emphasizes making something less likely to occur, focusing on probability.

mitigate the risk

Highlights the act of alleviating potential dangers or negative consequences.

minimize the possibility

Focuses on reducing the potential for something to happen.

decrease the probability

Directly addresses lowering the statistical chance of an event.

curtail the opportunity

Implies limiting or restricting the availability or scope for something.

diminish the prospect

Suggests a reduction in the outlook or expectation of a particular outcome.

lower the odds

Informal way to express reducing the likelihood or probability.

shrink the potential

Focuses on reducing the magnitude or capacity for something to develop.

temper the possibility

Highlights making a possibility less intense or extreme.

impair the opportunity

Emphasizes the weakening or damaging of a chance or opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the chance" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the chance" to describe actions taken to minimize a specific negative outcome. For example, 'Washing your hands frequently can "reduce the chance" of infection'.

What are some alternatives to "reduce the chance"?

Alternatives include "lessen the likelihood", "mitigate the risk", or "minimize the possibility", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "reduce the chance" and "eliminate the chance"?

"Reduce the chance" implies decreasing the probability of something happening, while "eliminate the chance" suggests completely removing any possibility. The choice depends on whether the action can minimize or entirely prevent the outcome.

What prepositions typically follow "reduce the chance"?

The preposition "of" commonly follows "reduce the chance". For instance, "reduce the chance of errors" or "reduce the chance of failure".