I always find it fascinating that in English risk is always negative but chance isn’t always positive.
In my native language there’s a 15% chance that there won’t be a recession and an 85% risk of there being a recession.
“chance” in my mind always means “less than likely”. Rather, if there is a “chance” of something, it is likely not going to happen.
I think the word you’re looking for in English that can have both a negative and positive connotation is “possibility” for a “less than likely” outcome… Its interchangeable with “chance” in most cases.
No. However, I thought you comment meant you interested in discussing the usage of English language in popular context and the oddities in which it was sometimes used. If you’re looking for absolute rules of language usage I’m not sure you’re going to find it.
Sorry, that sounds a lot harsher reading it than I meant for it to sound. In the context of the news article linked I found your less than likely funny. :)
If we’re speaking of personal feelings in how the words should be used then mine is that the possibility of an occurrence would be called a chance if I want it to occur, a risk if I don’t, unless the possibility reaches 100% or 0% as then it is no longer a chance nor a risk but a certainty.
I always find it fascinating that in English risk is always negative but chance isn’t always positive.
In my native language there’s a 15% chance that there won’t be a recession and an 85% risk of there being a recession.
“chance” in my mind always means “less than likely”. Rather, if there is a “chance” of something, it is likely not going to happen.
I think the word you’re looking for in English that can have both a negative and positive connotation is “possibility” for a “less than likely” outcome… Its interchangeable with “chance” in most cases.
Is 85% less than likely in your opinion?
No. However, I thought you comment meant you interested in discussing the usage of English language in popular context and the oddities in which it was sometimes used. If you’re looking for absolute rules of language usage I’m not sure you’re going to find it.
Sorry, that sounds a lot harsher reading it than I meant for it to sound. In the context of the news article linked I found your less than likely funny. :)
If we’re speaking of personal feelings in how the words should be used then mine is that the possibility of an occurrence would be called a chance if I want it to occur, a risk if I don’t, unless the possibility reaches 100% or 0% as then it is no longer a chance nor a risk but a certainty.
99% chance you’re wrong.