How to use "subject to chance"

What Does "subject to chance" Mean?

• The collocation "subject to chance" means that something is liable to be affected by random events, luck, or probability. It implies that the outcome is not predetermined and can vary due to unpredictable factors.
• The meaning is compositional. "Subject to" indicates being under the influence or control of something, and "chance" refers to the possibility of something happening randomly.
• Register: neutral

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: adjective + preposition + noun
• Typical objects: events, outcomes, results, decisions, findings, estimates
• The components of "subject to chance" cannot be separated. The phrase functions as a fixed unit.
• What sounds unnatural: Using a different preposition (e.g., "subject by chance") or altering the noun (e.g., "subject to a chance"). Replacing "subject" with a synonym like "liable" also changes the overall meaning.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from subject to chance on Ludwig.guru.

"In a world that is also subject to chance"." — The New Yorker

"But the trip was subject to chance and the availability of discount seats." — The New York Times

"Lawyers and advocates of online poker assert that poker is a game of strategy and not one "subject to chance"." — The New Yorker

"The Safe Port Act defines a bet or wager as "the staking or risking by any person of something of value upon the outcome of a contest of others, a sporting event, or a game subject to chance"." — The New Yorker

"The results, subject to chance, were then fashioned into lyrics like these: Meet his little hussy with his ghost-town approach Her face is sans feature, but she wears a Dali brooch Sweetly reminiscent, something mother used to bake Wrecked up and paralyzed, Diamond Dogs are stabilized It was rare for Bowie to embrace clear meaning." — The New Yorker

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/subject+to+chance

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
liable to happen	Similar meaning, but emphasizes potential negative consequences.
dependent on luck	Focuses specifically on the role of luck.
contingent on probability	More formal and statistical, emphasizing mathematical likelihood.
at the mercy of fate	Implies a lack of control and a strong influence of destiny.
governed by randomness	Highlights the complete lack of predictability.
open to the vagaries of chance	More literary and emphasizes the unpredictable and whimsical nature of chance.
matter of speculation	Emphasizes uncertainty and the absence of concrete information.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect preposition: Using "subject by chance" or "subject with chance" instead of "subject to chance."
• Using "subject to chance" when a more precise term like "random" or "unpredictable" is more appropriate. For example, saying "The selection was subject to chance" might be better phrased as "The selection was random" if the intention is to emphasize the lack of any systematic selection process.
• Using "subject of chance" which changes the meaning to something that is the topic, rather than influenced, by chance.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
subject to chance	Influenced or determined by random events or probability.	adjective + preposition + noun	Neutral

FAQs

Can the words in "subject to chance" be separated, or must they always stay together?

The phrase "subject to chance" functions as a fixed unit and should not be separated. Inserting words between "subject," "to," and "chance" would disrupt the meaning and grammatical correctness of the phrase. It should always be used as a complete collocation.

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How is "subject to chance" different from saying something is "random"?

While both phrases relate to unpredictability, "subject to chance" implies that something is influenced by random factors, whereas "random" suggests a complete lack of pattern or predictability. Something "subject to chance" might still have some underlying structure or influence, whereas something "random" is purely haphazard. Therefore, the choice depends on the degree of influence you want to convey.

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What's wrong with saying "subject by chance," and how can I avoid this mistake?

The correct preposition to use with "subject" in this context is "to," not "by." Saying "subject by chance" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't convey the intended meaning of being influenced or determined by random events. To avoid this mistake, always remember that the correct phrase is "subject to chance."