chances are

Examples

• All

• If teachers were paid well, trained well, and supported well, chances are there would not be a problem with teacher shortages.

  Academic text (2012)

• If something has affected you deeply, chances are very good that it will affect others.

  Academic text (2009)

• All right, chances are you go to work for a big firm.

• And if we're here, chances are all the good stuff is over there.

• If everybody else is missing, chances are we are next.

  Somebody Help Me (2007)

• What do you think the chances are of getting out?

  Stalag 17 (1953)

• Well, chances are we'll never see each other again.

  Starship Troopers (1997)

• Maybe it's not guaranteed, but your chances are much, much better.

• When you're feeling nervous, chances are it will show up in your voice.

  Academic text (2009)

• If you study hard, chances are you will pass the exam.

Synonyms

P

probably

vschances are

∞ 1.0

Likely to happen or be true but not certain

is the multiword phrase rather than a single adverb

I

in all likelihood

vschances are

24 3.2

Very likely to happen or be true

is less strong meaning simply likely rather than almost certain

I

in all probability

vschances are

8 3.8

Very likely to happen or be true

is weaker meaning likely but not almost certain

O

odds are good

vschances are

• Informal

2 3.7

There is a good chance it will happen

expresses likelihood without the hopeful or positive tone

Antonyms

U

unlikely

487 1.9

People do not expect it to happen or be true

I

improbable

53 4.9

Not likely to happen or be true

How Likely

certain

946 1.0

likely

∞ 1.0

chances are

• Informal

81 3.2

possible

∞ 1.0

unlikely

487 1.9

impossible

∞ 1.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology