- Do you know whether to say “take a chance” or “make a chance”?
- Have you ever wondered why “fat chance” actually means “no chance at all”?
- Are you looking for the most natural way to describe probability and opportunity in English?
Mastering collocations with chance is a vital step toward English fluency. In English, words don’t live in isolation; they live in “word partnerships.” By learning which words naturally sit next to “chance,” you reduce your mental translation time, sound more like a native speaker, and significantly lower your language anxiety in professional and social settings.
Essential Collocations using CHANCE as a Noun
In modern English, “chance” most frequently functions as a noun. It typically refers to either a possibility (probability) or an opportunity to do something.
Adjectives Describing Probability
These collocations describe how likely it is that something will happen.
- A fighting chance: A small but real possibility of succeeding if one makes an effort. Example: The underdog team still has a fighting chance to win the trophy.
- A slim/slight chance: A very small possibility. Example: There is a slim chance of rain this afternoon, so you might not need an umbrella.
- A fair chance: A reasonable or moderate possibility. Example: He has a fair chance of getting the job after that great interview.
- A high/good chance: A strong possibility. Example: There is a high chance that interest rates will drop next month.
- A 50-50 chance: When something is equally likely to happen or not happen. Example: It’s a 50-50 chance whether the flight will be on time.
Verbs for Taking Action
These verbs describe how we interact with opportunities.
- Take a chance: To do something risky. Example: You have to take a chance if you want to succeed in business.
- Jump at the chance: To accept an opportunity eagerly and immediately. Example: I would jump at the chance to work in London for a year.
- Miss a chance: To fail to use an opportunity. Example: Don’t miss the chance to see the Grand Canyon while you are in Arizona.
- Stand a chance: To have a prospect of success (often used in the negative). Example: Without more funding, the project doesn’t stand a chance.
- Give someone a chance: To provide someone with an opportunity or a moment of your time. Example: Please give me a chance to explain what happened.
Common Prepositional Phrases
These fixed phrases are used daily in both casual and formal English.
- By chance: Accidentally; without planning. Example: I met my old school friend by chance at the airport.
- On the off chance: Doing something just in case, even if it is unlikely to succeed. Example: I went to the sold-out concert on the off chance that someone was selling an extra ticket.
- By any chance: Used to ask a question politely (often checking a possibility). Example: Are you a doctor, by any chance?
Common Collocations with CHANCE as a Verb
While less common than the noun form, “chance” as a verb is still used in specific, modern contexts to describe taking a risk or finding something by accident.
Risk and Probability
- Chance it: To take a risk, often when you know the odds are against you. Example: I don’t have an umbrella, but I’ll chance it and walk home anyway.
Accidental Discovery
- Chance upon: To find or meet something or someone unexpectedly. Example: While hiking in the woods, we chanced upon a hidden waterfall.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Take a chance | Verb + Noun | To take a risk. |
| By chance | Prepositional Phrase | Accidentally / Not planned. |
| Stand a chance | Verb + Noun | To have a possibility of winning/succeeding. |
| Fat chance | Adjective + Noun | (Slang) No chance at all. |
| Chance upon | Phrasal Verb | To find something by accident. |
| Slim chance | Adjective + Noun | A very small possibility. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Learners often apply the logic of their native language to “chance,” leading to phrases that sound “off” to native ears. Use the table below to correct these common errors.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Do a chance | Take a chance |
| With chance (to mean accidentally) | By chance |
| Lost the chance | Missed the chance |
| A big chance (for probability) | A high chance / A good chance |
| I chanced him at the mall. | I ran into him / I met him by chance. |
Contextual Story
“Dear Sarah, I wanted to follow up on our meeting. I know you’re busy, but I’m writing on the off chance that you have an opening for a consultant. I’ve always wanted to work with your team, and I would jump at the chance to contribute to the new project. Even if there is only a slim chance of a vacancy right now, please let me know. I don’t want to miss a chance to collaborate with such a talented group. I’ll be in the city next week—are you free for coffee by any chance?”
Frequently Asked Questions about Chance Collocations
What is the difference between “chance of” and “chance to”?
“Chance of” is usually followed by a gerund (-ing) or noun and describes probability (e.g., “There is a chance of rain”). “Chance to” is followed by a verb and describes an opportunity to act (e.g., “I had a chance to speak with him”).
Is “fat chance” a positive or negative expression?
In modern English, “fat chance” is sarcastic and almost always means “very little to no chance.” If someone asks if you think it will snow in the desert, you might reply, “Fat chance!”
Can I use “by chance” and “by accident” interchangeably?
Yes, in most contexts they are synonymous. However, “by chance” sounds slightly more formal or neutral, while “by accident” is often used when something goes wrong (e.g., “I broke the vase by accident”).
What does “to leave it to chance” mean?
This means to not plan or prepare for something, but instead let luck or external circumstances determine the outcome. For example, “Don’t leave your exam results to chance; start studying now!”
How do I use “stand a chance” in a sentence?
It is most commonly used in the negative or in questions to discuss the possibility of success. “Do you think we stand a chance of winning?” or “He doesn’t stand a chance against the world champion.”
I'm so glad you mentioned language anxiety. Learning collocations definitely helps reduce that fear of sounding 'wrong' or unnatural. It's like unlocking secret codes for fluency! Keep these articles coming!
Eva, we completely agree! Overcoming language anxiety is a huge part of the learning journey, and mastering collocations is indeed like discovering a cheat code for sounding more native and confident. Your enthusiasm is inspiring, and we'll certainly keep bringing you more content to help you feel more comfortable and fluent in English!
Thank you for the clear example sentences for each collocation! They really help clarify the meaning and usage, especially for tricky ones like 'a fighting chance.' It makes it so much easier to understand how to apply them.
Daniel, we're glad you found the examples useful! We believe that seeing words in context is one of the most effective ways to truly understand and internalize new vocabulary and collocations. Your feedback helps us ensure our content is as helpful as possible!
What about 'second chance'? Is that also considered a collocation? I hear it quite often in discussions about forgiveness or new beginnings.
Chloe, absolutely! 'Second chance' is a very common and important collocation, referring to a new opportunity to succeed after an initial failure or setback. For example, 'After he made a mistake, his boss gave him a second chance to prove himself.' It's a key phrase for describing renewed opportunities and is definitely part of the 'chance' family of collocations!
I often use 'possibility' or 'opportunity' but wanted to sound more varied and sophisticated in my English. This article provides perfect alternatives with 'chance' that I can immediately incorporate. Much appreciated!
Ben, precisely! Varying your vocabulary with appropriate synonyms and collocations is a hallmark of advanced English proficiency. 'Chance' is wonderfully versatile, and knowing its common partnerships allows you to express nuances that 'possibility' or 'opportunity' alone might not convey. Keep practicing and experimenting!
This is so practical! I'm trying to improve my professional English for job interviews and client communication, and knowing these collocations will definitely make my responses sound more natural and confident. Thank you!
Anja, that's fantastic to hear! Using natural collocations like these can indeed make a significant difference in professional settings, helping you articulate your ideas with greater fluency and confidence. We're delighted to be part of your journey toward mastering professional English!
I've heard 'chance it' as well. Is that an informal way to say 'take a chance'? Like, 'It might rain, but I'll chance it and not take an umbrella.'
Jin, you've picked up on an excellent informal usage! Yes, 'chance it' is a common, more colloquial way to say 'take a chance' or 'take a risk.' Your example, 'It might rain, but I'll chance it and not take an umbrella,' is perfect. It implies a quick decision to take a risk or hope for the best, often in a less formal context.
Is 'fair chance' the same as 'even chance' (meaning 50/50)? Or is there a slight difference in nuance? I've heard both and wonder if they are interchangeable.
Isabella, that's a wonderful, nuanced question! 'An even chance' specifically means a 50/50 probability, an equal likelihood of two outcomes. 'A fair chance,' on the other hand, implies a *reasonable* or *decent* possibility of success, usually more than 50% but not necessarily a certainty. So, while they both refer to probability, 'fair chance' is a bit more qualitative (good enough), whereas 'even chance' is quantitative (exactly half). They are not perfectly interchangeable.
I'm an intermediate learner, and articles like this really bridge the gap between textbook English and real-world usage. Thank you for making these complex ideas so accessible and practical!
Does 'by chance' fit into this category of collocations? Like, 'I met her by chance at the grocery store.' It seems related but wasn't explicitly mentioned.
Maria, excellent query! Yes, 'by chance' is absolutely a very common and important prepositional collocation with 'chance,' meaning accidentally or without planning. 'I met her by chance at the grocery store' is a perfect example and very natural usage. It refers to an unplanned or coincidental occurrence. We're glad you brought it up!
This is fantastic! I always felt something was 'off' when I tried to use 'chance' phrases, especially in more professional settings. Now I understand why, and 'fat chance' is gold!
Javier, that's precisely why we created this article! That 'off' feeling often comes from not quite hitting the right collocation, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or simply sounding less natural. We're delighted to hear that understanding these 'chance' collocations, including the delightful 'fat chance,' is helping you gain confidence in your professional English!