chance
A1Neutral (used across formal, informal, and technical contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A possibility of something happening, especially something positive or unexpected, often influenced by luck rather than planning.
A measure of likelihood or probability; an opportunity to do something; the unpredictable element of luck in events.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions as a countable and uncountable noun ('a chance', 'some chance'), and as a verb ('to chance it').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. In the UK, 'on the off-chance' is slightly more common. In sports contexts (US: 'take a chance', UK: 'take a chance' equally).
Connotations
Identical core connotations of opportunity and risk.
Frequency
Both varieties use the word with extremely high and similar frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
there is a chance that + clausehave a chance to + infinitivechance of + -ing nounchance + noun (e.g., chance encounter)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by any chance”
- “chance your arm”
- “fat chance”
- “a chance in a million”
- “leave nothing to chance”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Analyzing the chance of market success; 'We need to assess the chance of a merger.'
Academic
Statistical probability; 'The chance of error was less than 5%.'
Everyday
Social opportunities and luck; 'I ran into her by chance at the supermarket.'
Technical
Mathematical probability in statistics and game theory.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I chanced upon an old friend in the library.
- He decided to chance it and ask for a pay rise.
- Don't chance driving in that storm.
American English
- She chanced to find a rare coin in the parking lot.
- I'll chance it and hope the traffic is light.
- Would you chance a guess on the final score?
adverb
British English
- N/A (Extremely rare; 'chance' is not standardly used as an adverb.)
American English
- N/A (Extremely rare; 'chance' is not standardly used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- It was a chance meeting that changed everything.
- A chance discovery led to the new vaccine.
American English
- Their chance encounter sparked a great partnership.
- We made a chance observation during the experiment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a chance to visit London.
- There is a small chance of rain today.
- We met by chance.
- You should take the chance to practice your English while you're abroad.
- What's the chance of getting tickets this late?
- He missed his chance to apologise.
- Given the current data, the chance of a recession is significant.
- She chanced upon a solution while reviewing old notes.
- I wouldn't chance walking home alone at night.
- Serendipity is more than mere chance; it's the art of making valuable discoveries by accident.
- The legislation was passed by a twist of political chance.
- He decided to chance his arm and apply for the senior position despite lacking some qualifications.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CHANCE = Can Happen At No Cost, Expect it. (Emphasizes the unexpected, low-cost nature of an opportunity.)
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANCE IS A VALUABLE OBJECT (grab a chance, give someone a chance) / CHANCE IS A PATH (miss your chance, take a chance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing 'chance' (возможность, шанс) with 'case' (случай). 'In case' is не 'in chance'.
- Avoid directly translating 'иметь шанс' as 'have chance'; use 'have a chance'.
- Don't use 'chance' for 'situation' or 'circumstance' (обстановка).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect article: 'I have chance' instead of 'I have a chance'.
- Confusing 'chance' (noun) with 'change' (verb/noun).
- Using 'chance' as a verb incorrectly: 'I chanced to see him' is correct but formal; overuse in casual speech sounds odd.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'chance' is CORRECT?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. As an opportunity or possibility, it's countable ('a chance', 'two chances'). Referring to luck or probability in general, it's uncountable ('a game of chance', 'left to chance').
'Opportunity' often implies a favorable, planned, or exploitable set of circumstances. 'Chance' is more neutral, focusing on randomness or bare possibility ('a chance of failure'), though it can overlap ('a chance/opportunity to speak').
It is formal/literary. 'Chance to do something' means 'happen to do something' ('I chanced to see him'). 'Chance it' means 'take a risk'. 'Chance upon/across' means 'find by accident'.
It's a polite, softening phrase used in questions. 'Are you, by any chance, free tomorrow?' It means 'is it possible that...' and makes the question less direct.
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