reduce the chances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the chances" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ways to lower the likelihood of a particular event or outcome occurring. Example: "Implementing safety measures can help reduce the chances of accidents in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Using technology would reduce the chances of that happening.

The Guardian - Sport

"Our job is to reduce the chances of mistakes.

The Guardian

That should reduce the chances of making a mistake.

The Economist

Lower temperatures reduce the chances of detonation, a destructive condition that occurs when fuel ignites prematurely.

The New York Times

Washing the vegetables in water will help reduce the chances of consuming the pesticide.

The New York Times - Science

He argues that this might reduce the chances of having a disabled child later.

The Guardian - Opinion

I believe the circumstances would reduce the chances that they attend".

The New York Times - Sports

It would promote lifestyle changes like eating habits to reduce the chances of getting the disease.

The New York Times

Officials said they wanted to reduce the chances of a vehicle carrying explosives reaching the grounds.

The New York Times

Guilty pleas, in turn, reduce the chances of police officers getting caught in lies.

The New York Times - Magazine

Take on Paris attempts to reduce the chances of a bad night in the French capital.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using synonyms such as "mitigate the risk" or "decrease the likelihood" to vary your language and maintain a sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid overstating the degree to which an action can "reduce the chances" of something. Qualify your statements with phrases like 'significantly reduce' or 'partially mitigate' to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the chances" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, expressing the action of diminishing the likelihood of a particular outcome. This is supported by Ludwig, confirming the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reduce the chances" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe actions that lower the probability of a specific event, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, with a neutral to professional register. While synonyms like "minimize the risk" or "decrease the likelihood" may be preferred in more formal settings, "reduce the chances" remains a versatile and effective way to convey the concept of mitigating potential negative outcomes. The linguistic analysis reveals its primary function is to express the action of diminishing likelihood, serving purposes such as advocating for preventative measures and providing informative explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessen the probability

Replaces "chances" with "probability", focusing on a statistical aspect.

minimize the risk

Substitutes "reduce the chances" with a focus on risk mitigation.

decrease the likelihood

Employs "decrease" instead of "reduce" and "likelihood" for "chances", slightly altering the tone.

mitigate the possibility

Uses "mitigate" and "possibility" to convey a more formal and proactive approach.

lower the odds

Adopts a more informal tone, replacing "chances" with "odds".

curtail the potential

Emphasizes limiting the potential for something negative to occur.

diminish the prospect

Uses "diminish" and "prospect" for a slightly more nuanced take on reducing likelihood.

weaken the possibility

Focuses on weakening the chance for something bad to happen.

impede the opportunity

Shifts the focus to hindering the opportunity for something undesirable.

shrink the opportunity

Uses a visual metaphor to convey reducing the opportunity for an event.

FAQs

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

You can use "reduce the chances" to describe actions that lower the probability of a specific event. For example, "Implementing safety measures can help reduce the chances of accidents."

What are some alternatives to "reduce the chances"?

Alternatives include "minimize the risk", "decrease the likelihood", or "lessen the probability" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "reduce the chances of" or "lower the chances of"?

Both "reduce the chances of" and "lower the chances of" are acceptable. "Reduce" is slightly more formal, while "lower" is more informal. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "reduce the chances" and "eliminate the chances"?

"Reduce the chances" implies lessening the probability, while "eliminate the chances" suggests completely removing the possibility. The appropriate phrase depends on whether the action can only lessen the probability or entirely prevent the outcome.