a distant chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the likelihood of something happening is very low or unlikely. Example: "There is a distant chance that we might win the lottery, but we shouldn't rely on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

After hurting its national title hopes with the loss to Florida, Georgia (11-1) has won three straight to maintain a distant chance for its first national championship since 1980.

The New York Times - Sports

France may still be in with a distant chance of winning the Six Nations championship should they beat England on Saturday, if Wales and Ireland have already lost their games, but they must also score a barrel-load of points in the process.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This is a distant prospect.

The Economist

That seems a distant prospect.

Independent

That remains a distant prospect.

The New York Times

That's why they're willing to risk their lives for the relative safety of an overcrowded refugee camp, or the distant chance of a more stable existence in Europe or the U.S.

Huffington Post

And maybe that's how most posthumous albums should be regarded by fans, with the distant chance that a true gem might occasionally be unearthed.

The Guardian - Opinion

It wasn't always like this, but fairytales don't exist any more, unless you count the distant chance of winning big on the scratchies and spending your days in a secondhand Lambo, doing doughnuts on the lawns of your enemies shouting "SUCK IT YOU DICKHEADS!" from the window for ever and ever, and Snapchatting the whole thing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If you're nervous or distant, chances are the boy won't think you want to hook up.

WikiHow

In addition to the trials of satisfying customers, inspiring employees and paying the electricity bills, entrepreneurs now have to sweat the not-so-distant chance that they could wake up to a Caterpillar bulldozer plowing through their parking lots.

Forbes

With the freedoms they had granted each other, they needed such privacy that even a distant street light or the remotest chance of a cop with a flashlight and barking voice could not be borne.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "a distant chance" with strong verbs or adverbs that further emphasize the unlikelihood, such as "barely", "remotely", or "theoretically", to enhance the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant chance" when the actual probability is higher than implied. Misrepresenting the likelihood can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant chance" functions as a noun phrase, where "distant" modifies the noun "chance". Ludwig AI confirms its use to describe a low probability event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distant chance" is a phrase used to describe a low probability or likelihood of an event occurring. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, primarily within news and media. While similar to phrases like "slim possibility" or "remote chance", "a distant chance" implies a possibility that is either unlikely or far off. When using this phrase, ensure that the context emphasizes the low probability to avoid misleading your audience. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, its consistent usage in authoritative sources underscores its validity and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slim chance

Focuses on the smallness of the chance.

a remote possibility

Emphasizes the unlikelihood of the event.

a slight possibility

Highlights the marginal nature of the chance.

a negligible chance

Suggests the chance is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a faint hope

Shifts the focus to the hopeful aspect, albeit weakly.

a long shot

Implies the attempt is unlikely to succeed.

a mere chance

Underscores how insignificant the opportunity or possibility is.

a theoretical possibility

Indicates the chance exists more in concept than in reality.

an outside chance

Suggests the chance exists but is not probable.

a snowball's chance in hell

An idiomatic expression indicating virtually no chance at all.

FAQs

How can I use "a distant chance" in a sentence?

Use "a distant chance" to describe something that is unlikely to happen. For example, "There is "a distant chance" that the team will win the championship this year."

What are some alternatives to "a distant chance"?

You can use alternatives like "slim possibility", "remote chance", or "slight possibility" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "a distant chance" the same as "a remote chance"?

While similar, "a distant chance" and "a remote chance" both imply a low probability, "distant" can suggest something is far off in the future or possibility, while "remote" suggests something is unlikely to occur.

When is it appropriate to use "a distant chance" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "a distant chance" when you want to acknowledge a possibility, however small, without creating false hope or overstating the likelihood of it occurring.