secure the chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure the chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to obtaining or ensuring an opportunity for something, often in a competitive context. Example: "To advance in your career, it's essential to secure the chance to showcase your skills during the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It then had to be substantially bowdlerised to secure the chance of release in Russia.

The Guardian - Film

The ex-Real Madrid boss may now have a selection headache, with Villa, Euro 2012 top scorer Fernando Torres and false nine Cesc Fabregas all vying for a place to secure the chance to defend their trophy in 2014.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Who has time in days like the present to listen to tales of heroes … which seem so far away from the common sense we live by?" Sapsford found Clark's great-niece living in Lincolnshire and so secured the chance to bring out her work for a new audience.

The Guardian - Books

Sabin secured the chance to design MoMA PS1's party haven through the annual Young Architects Program, in which emerging firms compete for the funding and space to make an experimental, thoughtful, and beautiful installation.

Vice

Robinson had been on a massive recruitment drive before the march, banging his drum on the radio and even securing the chance to rant like a daytime drunk in a suburban pub to Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight.

Vice

Others may well adapt their own preferred response to the Humean problem of induction, or simply deny that the justification of the PP matters as much to the theory of objective chance as its truth and its truth will do to secure the frequency-chance connection needed here.

SEP

In reality, middle-class parents are often driven by league tables and securing the best chance of academic success for their children.

The Guardian

In Cincinnati, Pliskova had denied Kerber the chance to secure the top ranking, which Serena Williams had held for a hundred and eighty-six consecutive weeks.

The New Yorker

The match was in the balance until three minutes before the end when Chris Burke cut in from the right wing and gave Ben Osborn the chance to secure the three points and perhaps help put Forest back in playoff contention.

The Guardian - Sport

West Ham will turn down the chance to secure the £17m permanent signing of striker Andy Carroll, 24, when his loan deal from Liverpool expires at the end of the season.

BBC

By switching to face recognition, Apple originally claimed it would be more secure — the chances of someone else unlocking your phone should have been one in a million with Face ID.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for concise writing, consider stronger verbs like "seize" or "grab" instead of the more formal "secure the chance".

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that weaken the sentence. Instead of "The chance was secured by them", write "They secured the chance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure the chance" functions as a verb phrase, where "secure" acts as a transitive verb taking "the chance" as its direct object. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct. It describes the action of obtaining or ensuring an opportunity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secure the chance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe obtaining an opportunity. According to Ludwig, while valid, it appears less frequently than alternatives such as "seize the opportunity". Its usage is typically neutral, fitting well in professional and news contexts. It is mostly used in News & Media and Science. Consider stronger, more concise verbs when aiming for impactful writing. Avoid passive voice constructions that dilute the agency in obtaining the chance. According to Ludwig's AI, the phrase is valid and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain the opportunity

Focuses more directly on receiving the opportunity.

seize the opportunity

Emphasizes taking advantage of the chance.

grab the chance

Suggests a quick and decisive action to get the opportunity.

get the opportunity

Simple and direct way of saying you received the chance.

gain the possibility

Highlights the potential that arises from securing something.

ensure the prospect

Focuses on guaranteeing a future possibility.

attain the prospect

Highlights achieving or reaching a desired future.

procure the opportunity

Suggests acquiring the opportunity through effort.

lock in the opportunity

Emphasizes making the opportunity certain or guaranteed.

clinch the chance

Implies securing the chance decisively, often in a competitive scenario.

FAQs

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

You can use "secure the chance" when you want to express that someone has obtained or ensured an opportunity, often through effort or competition. For example, "They worked hard to secure the chance to present their research."

What can I say instead of "secure the chance"?

You can use alternatives like "seize the opportunity", "grab the chance", or "obtain the opportunity", depending on the context.

Is "secure the chance" formal or informal?

"Secure the chance" leans towards a more formal register compared to phrases like "grab the chance". The level of formality also depends on the context and the surrounding vocabulary.

What is the difference between "secure the chance" and "get the opportunity"?

"Secure the chance" implies a level of effort or competition to obtain the opportunity, while "get the opportunity" is a more general and neutral expression for receiving an opportunity.