secondary chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an additional opportunity or a second chance to do something after a previous attempt has failed or been unsuccessful. Example: "After failing the exam the first time, she was grateful for a secondary chance to retake it and improve her score."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you're at secondary school, chances are you're not going to see someone that often because you're in a big place.

WikiHow

For an 8-year-old from Florida, a national championship is secondary to a chance to play in the snow.

The New York Times - Travel

For me, having worked in the private sector for a long time, praise and money were secondary to the chance of making a difference.

The Guardian

But the shiny objects awarded were secondary to the chance for Mets fans to say with water colors what they had been feeling in their hearts, despite what sometimes got stuck in their craws.

The New York Times - Sports

Our findings therefore suggest that, in determining invasion success, propagule pressure may be of secondary importance to chance events, the ecological traits of exotic species, and the properties of the invaded ecosystem.

Plosone

They give their secondary and defense a chance to make plays.

The New York Times

Tennessee, however, was called for holding in the secondary, giving Johnson another chance with 10 seconds remaining and the ball at the Titan 34.

The New York Times - Sports

Richly deserving of its Palme d'Or win at Cannes last year, Abdellatif Kechiche's porous, persuasive character study yields an astonishing performance from Adèle Exarchopoulos as a gangly secondary school student whose chance encounter with a blue-haired painter (Léa Seydoux) gradually unlocks her adult identity.

The Guardian - Film

Moreover, since few studies were designed specifically to assess growth, the reported effects of n 3 PUFA on growth could represent chance findings secondary to the suboptimal design.

The Journal of Pediatrics

I would think vaccines containing many different dicey substances shot directly into the bloodstream have a slightly greater chance of secondary effects than a piece of fabric lying across your waist.

Huffington Post

The simulated outbreaks ended when, by chance, no secondary cases were generated by active cases.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secondary chance", ensure the context clearly indicates what the primary chance or attempt was. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

While acceptable, "secondary chance" might sound less formal in some contexts. Consider stronger synonyms like "subsequent opportunity" or "alternative pathway" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary chance" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "secondary" modifies the noun "chance". It indicates a subsequent or additional opportunity.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secondary chance" is a grammatically sound way to refer to a subsequent or additional opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase can be used across various contexts, it's crucial to ensure the context clarifies what the primary chance was. Alternative phrases like "second opportunity" or "additional chance" offer similar meanings. Be mindful of potential formality levels, and choose synonyms where a more professional tone is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second opportunity

Replaces "chance" with "opportunity", emphasizing the possibility.

additional chance

Uses "additional" to highlight that it's not the first chance.

further opportunity

Suggests an opportunity that extends beyond the initial one.

subsequent opportunity

Emphasizes the temporal sequence of the opportunity.

follow-up chance

Indicates a chance that comes after a previous action or event.

alternative opportunity

Highlights that this chance is different from the original.

renewed opportunity

Suggests a fresh or restarted chance.

another shot

An informal way of saying another try or chance.

second bite at the apple

An idiomatic expression meaning a second chance at something.

chance to revisit

Implies an opportunity to reconsider or rework something.

FAQs

What does "secondary chance" mean?

A "secondary chance" refers to an additional opportunity that is provided after an initial attempt or opportunity has passed. It implies that there was a first chance, and this is a subsequent one.

When is it appropriate to use "secondary chance" in writing?

Use "secondary chance" when you want to emphasize that an opportunity is not the first one, and that it's occurring as a follow-up. For more formal alternatives, consider using "second opportunity" or "subsequent opportunity".

What are some alternatives to "secondary chance"?

Alternatives to "secondary chance" include "additional chance", "further opportunity", or even simply "second chance", depending on the context.

Is "secondary chance" interchangeable with "second chance"?

While similar, "secondary chance" might subtly emphasize that the opportunity is less desirable or important than the initial one, compared to the more neutral "second chance".