Cool MateIs chance vs Risk
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Is chance
Top 2,000 (common)
Risk
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Risk
| Is chance | Risk | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪz tʃæns//🇺🇸 //ɪz tʃæns// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪsk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪsk/"]/ |
| Meaning | A possibility or opportunity to happen something. | the chance of something bad happening |
| Example | Is there a chance you might join us later? | There is a risk involved in investing in the stock market. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | take a chance, give a chance, take a chance on something, miss a chance, high chance | big, considerable, enormous, degree, level, element, face, run, take, outweigh something, group, factor, assessment, at risk, at risk from, at risk of, at your own risk, an increase in risk, a reduction in risk, big, considerable, enormous, degree, level, element, face, run, take, outweigh something, group, factor, assessment, at risk, at risk from, at risk of, at your own risk, an increase in risk, a reduction in risk, big, considerable, enormous, degree, level, element, face, run, take, outweigh something, group, factor, assessment, at risk, at risk from, at risk of, at your own risk, an increase in risk, a reduction in risk |
| Antonyms | - | safety, certainty |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'the chance' which refers to a specific opportunity., Using 'is chance' instead of 'is there a chance'., Not using it appropriately in negative forms. | Confusing risk with danger - risk is about possibility, while danger implies a higher chance of harm., Using 'risks' as a singular noun - remember to use the correct plural or singular form., Omitting the object when saying 'risk' - always specify what is being risked. |
| Usage notes | Used mainly in informal contexts to express uncertainty or possibility. It can sometimes appear in formal writing but is less common. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. When discussing financial matters, 'risk' is frequent; however, it may not be appropriate in casual conversation about personal matters unless framed carefully. |
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Frequently asked questions: Is chance vs Risk
What's the difference between Is chance and Risk?
Is chance: A possibility or opportunity to happen something. Risk: the chance of something bad happening
Which is more common: Is chance and Risk?
Risk is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Is chance: Is there a chance you might join us later? Risk: There is a risk involved in investing in the stock market.
Can I use Is chance and Risk interchangeably?
Not always. Is chance and Risk are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.