The chance are vs. chances are?

[Torsten]

Hi,

I've noticed that many Americans say 'chances are...' while I also often read 'the chances are'. Is it possible that this is an American vs. British English question?

Many thanks,
Torsten

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[Alan]

Hi Torsten,

I don't honestly think that is is an Am/Br thing. To me it's the old chestnut -specificity. In other words 'the chances are' relates to particular reasons why something is likely to happen.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Torsten]

Hi Alan, what do you make of the use of the phrase 'chances are' in the following text:

Quite a few people have never heard of Drupal. That's ok, though, because chances are good that if they browse websites on a daily basis, they're probably visiting a Drupal site every day.

Thanks,
Torsten

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[Joseph_Learns_To_Speak]

Hi Torsten,
I am sorry for breaking into your business.
As far as I know "chances are" is an American idiom which means "probably".
You should take some medicine. "Chances are" you'll be better tomorrow.
I was sneezing a lot last night. "Chances are" I am staying home today.
I am eager to learn more of it.
Just my 2 cents.
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Learning English is just for good

[Alan]

Hi Torsten,

In your sentence:

Quite a few people have never heard of Drupal. That's ok, though, because chances are good that if they browse websites on a daily basis, they're probably visiting a Drupal site every day.

I would omit 'good' and simply say 'the chances are that if ..

Alternatively you could say: there is a good chance that if

In both cases the suggestion is 'that there is a probability/a likelihood that or simply it is likely that ...' The addition of 'good' in the second examples strengthens the likelihood.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Torsten]

Hi Alan and Joseph,

Many thanks for this. It seems that 'chances are' is indeed an American idiom. At least I got this: http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/chances+are

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