Auraltext  +  354775 Tue, 24 Apr 07 01:32 AM Hi everyone! Please, if anyone of you could help me with this, feel free to share  your knowledge. When do we use "Chances for" and when is it better to use "Chances of" ? Examples: According to the doctor, the conjoined twins' chances (for, of) recovery were small. Your chances (for, of) winning the lottery is 200 million to 1. The chances (for, of) survival in Mt. Everest is almost nil for the inexperienced climber. Forget it, you have little chance (for, of) getting a date with Wendy. I hope you guys could clear this up. Auraltext Joined on Mon, Apr 23 2007 New Member 02 Dates

	Grammar Geek  +  354809 Tue, 24 Apr 07 03:43 AM Hi Aureltext, and welcome to the forums! I think I say "chances of" just about all the time. But this may be one of those things where some regions say it one way, and some say it another way. According to Google, "for" has about 1.3 million hits and "of" has 12.4 million. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,683 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	CalifJim  +  354833 Tue, 24 Apr 07 05:36 AM If chance means likelihood, odds, risk, or anything suggesting gambling or randomness, use chance(s) of. If chance means opportunity, occasion, reasonable hope, or expectation, use chance(s) for. In some cases either meaning is possible. chance(s) of Today it will be cloudy with a chance of rain.  (a likelihood of rain) What are the chances of seeing a UFO in your neighborhood?  (what are the odds) Scientists will soon discover medications to reduce the chances of getting heart disease.  (reduce the risk of) chance(s) for Israel is being urged to seize the chance for talks with Syria.  (seize the occasion / opportunity) This is your last chance for getting the set of kitchen knives at a discount.  (last reasonable hope / last opportunity) Does having a good education really increase your chances for success later in life?  (expectations / opportunities) All of your examples seem to me to be in the "likelihood" category, so chance(s) of is appropriate for all.   chances for survival on Everest might also be possible. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,474 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Auraltext  +  354989 Tue, 24 Apr 07 03:34 PM Wonderful, CalifJim. I was trying to figure out the difference and could only come up with guesses, none of which fit the contexts I was working on. Your explanation is perfect and crystal clear. Thanks a lot! Auraltext