What is chance? Pronunciation and usage in English

chance means . Learn how to pronounce and use chance through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of chance

chancenoun

/tʃɑːns/
Definition & pronunciation of chance

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "chance" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and it depends slightly on where you are (American vs. British English).

1. American English (most common):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈʃɑːns/ (shawn)

  • Breakdown:

    • "ch" – Pronounced like "sh" as in "ship."
    • "a" – Pronounced like the "a" in "father."
    • "n" – Pronounced like "n."
    • "ce" – Pronounced like "s" (as in "sense").
    • "e" – Pronounced like "uh" (a short, unstressed "uh").

  • So, it sounds like: "Shawn"

2. British English:

  • Pronunciation: /tʃɑːns/ (chawn)

  • Breakdown:

    • "ch" – Pronounced like "ch" as in "chair."
    • "a" – Pronounced like the "a" in "father".
    • "n" – Pronounced like "n".
    • "ce" - Pronounced like "s" (as in "sense").
    • "e" - Pronounced like "uh" (a short, unstressed "uh").

  • So, it sounds like: “Chawn”

Resources for hearing the pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "chance" into Google Translate, click the speaker icon. (This will usually give you the American pronunciation.)
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/chance/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers in different accents.

To help me give you the most relevant pronunciation, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (roughly - e.g., USA, UK, Australia)?

Usage and examples with the word chance in English

Let's break down how to use the word "chance" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and ways to be used. Here's a comprehensive guide, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun (Referring to Possibility or Opportunity)

  • Basic Meaning: This is the most common usage. "Chance" means a possibility of something happening, often a slim or uncertain one.
    • Example: "There's a good chance I’ll be late." (Meaning: It's likely I'll be late.)
    • Example: “I have a chance to travel abroad next year.” (Meaning: I have an opportunity to travel.)
    • Example: "We have a small chance of winning the lottery." (Meaning: The odds of winning are low.)
  • Chance Encounter: Meeting someone unexpectedly.
    • Example: "We had a lucky chance encounter at the coffee shop."
  • Chance Meeting: Similar to above, focusing on the unplanned nature.
  • Chance Event: An unplanned event.
    • Example: “The chance discovery of the fossil led to a major breakthrough.”

2. As a Verb (Meaning to Happen or Occur)

  • Basic Meaning: To happen by chance; to occur unexpectedly.
    • Example: “The rain chanced to start just as we were leaving.” (Meaning: The rain started unexpectedly.)
    • Example: “He chanced upon a valuable antique while cleaning out the attic.” (Meaning: He unexpectedly found the antique.)
  • To Risk or Attempt (less common, slightly more formal): To take a risk; to try something, particularly when the outcome is uncertain. This usage is more formal and less frequently used than the "happen" meaning.
    • Example: “He chanced his arm in the stock market.” (Meaning: He took a risk investing in the stock market.)

3. Phrases Using "Chance"

  • Take a chance: To do something risky.
    • Example: "Are you willing to take a chance and ask her out?"
  • Give someone a chance: To allow someone an opportunity.
    • Example: "I’ll give you a chance to explain yourself."
  • By chance: Unexpectedly; accidentally.
    • Example: “I met her by chance at the airport.”
  • Chance of...: The probability of something happening.
    • Example: “What’s the chance of rain tomorrow?”
  • Chance in a million: A very small probability.
    • Example: "Winning that prize is a chance in a million.”

4. Figurative Uses

  • Luck/Fortuna: Sometimes "chance" can be used to refer to luck or fortune, although it’s not the most precise word.
    • Example: "It’s all down to chance.” (Meaning: It’s down to luck.)

Tips for Using "Chance" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "chance" is heavily dependent on the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like "possibility," "opportunity," "probability," "likelihood," "luck," or "fortune" for a clearer meaning in some situations.
  • Formal vs. Informal: The verb "chance" (to risk) is more formal than the noun "chance" (possibility).

Resources for Further Exploration:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of situation are you thinking about using "chance" in? (e.g., a conversation, writing an essay, describing an event)

Synonyms for the word chance

Idioms of the word chance

as chance would have it
happening in a way that was lucky, although it was not planned
  • As chance would have it, John was going to London too, so I went with him.
be in with a chance (of doing something)
(British English, informal)to have the possibility of succeeding or achieving something
  • ‘Do you think we'll win?’ ‘I think we're in with a chance.’
  • He's in with a good chance of passing the exam.
  • After a poor start, they are now in with a chance of winning the league.
by any chance
used especially in questions, to ask whether something is true, possible, etc.
  • Are you in love with him, by any chance?
  • Are you by any chance Mr Ludd?
the chances are (that)…
(informal)it is likely that…
  • The chances are you won't have to pay.
chance would be a fine thing
(British English, informal)people say chance would be a fine thing to show that they would like to do or have the thing that somebody has mentioned, but that they do not think that it is very likely
    (a) fat chance (of something/doing something)
    (informal)used for saying that you do not believe something is likely to happen
    • ‘They might let us in without tickets.’ ‘Fat chance of that!’
    • Fat chance of him helping you!
    a fighting chance
    a small chance of being successful if a great effort is made
    • We still have a fighting chance of beating them and winning the Cup.
    • If you win this round then you still have a fighting chance.
    give somebody/something half a chance
    to give somebody/something some opportunity to do something
    • That dog will give you a nasty bite, given half a chance.
    have an even chance (of doing something)
    to be equally likely to do or not do something
    • She has more than an even chance of winning tomorrow.
    • There’s an even chance that the jury will find him guilty.
    no chance
    (informal)there is no possibility
    • ‘Do you think he'll do it?’ ‘No chance.’
    not have/stand a cat in hell’s chance (of doing something)
    (informal)to have no chance at all
      not have a dog’s chance
      to have no chance at all
      • He hasn't a dog's chance of passing the exam.
      not have a snowball’s chance in hell
      (informal)to have no chance at all
      • There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that I'll wear that thing!
      on the off chance (of doing something/that…)
      because of the possibility of something happening, although it is unlikely
      • I didn't think you'd be at home but I just called by on the off chance.
      • She scanned the crowd on the off chance of seeing someone she knew.
      • I called in at the office on the off chance that you would still be there.
      • I rang the company just on the off chance that they might have a vacancy.
      a sporting chance
      a reasonable chance of success
        stand a chance (of doing something)
        to have the possibility of succeeding or achieving something
        • The driver didn't stand a chance of stopping in time.
        • He doesn't stand a chance of winning against such an experienced player.
        take a chance (on something)
        to decide to do something, knowing that it might be the wrong choice
        • We took a chance on the weather and planned to have the party outside.
        take your chances
        to take a risk or to use the opportunities that you have and hope that things will happen in the way that you want
        • He took his chances and jumped into the water.
        with an eye for/on/to the main chance
        (British English, usually disapproving)with the hope of using a particular situation in order to gain some advantage for yourself

          Practice with vocabulary chance

          Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

          1. She took the ________ to study abroad when it was offered.
          2. There’s a slim ________ that it will rain tomorrow.
          3. He missed the ________ to apologize and regretted it later.
          4. The team worked hard to increase their ________ of winning the competition.

          Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

          1. What word best fits in the blank: "She was given the ________ to lead the project."
            a) chance
            b) opportunity
            c) luck
            d) moment

          2. Which word does NOT fit in the sentence: "There’s a good ________ they’ll arrive on time."
            a) chance
            b) probability
            c) certainty
            d) possibility

          3. What is the most appropriate word for: "We should not waste this ________ to make a difference."
            a) chance
            b) risk
            c) mistake
            d) effort

          4. Which word best replaces "opportunity" in: "This job is a great ________ to learn new skills."
            a) chance
            b) luck
            c) challenge
            d) time

          5. What word is incorrect in the sentence: "He took the ________ to explain his ideas clearly."
            a) opportunity
            b) chance
            c) moment
            d) risk

          Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

          1. Original: "He was lucky to get the scholarship."
            Rewrite: "He had the ________ to get the scholarship."

          2. Original: "They missed the opportunity to invest early."
            Rewrite: "They missed the ________ to invest early."

          3. Original: "There’s a possibility that the event will be postponed."
            Rewrite: "The event might be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances."

          Answer:

          Exercise 1:

          1. chance
          2. chance
          3. opportunity
          4. chances

          Exercise 2:

          1. a) chance / b) opportunity
          2. c) certainty
          3. a) chance
          4. a) chance
          5. d) risk

          Exercise 3:

          1. He had the chance to get the scholarship.
          2. They missed the chance to invest early.
          3. The event might be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

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