a distant likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that has a low probability of occurring in the future. Example: "While there is a distant likelihood of rain tomorrow, we should still plan for our outdoor event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The challenge, of course, is whether those protections will be enforced – a distant likelihood in a country that consistently ranks in the world's bottom third on the Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, which measures perceptions of corruption in countries and territories by domestic and international observers.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The authorities in Poland and Italy issued soothing statements on Thursday, noting the existence of high reserves and the distant likelihood of an immediate effect on gas supplies.

The New York Times

He told Kelly that he'd clean forgotten he had called her a bimbo, offered a limited apology for the more extreme aspects of his behavior and, later, proposed engaging in direct talks with North Korea in the still distant likelihood he wins the White House in November.

The Guardian

In addition, starting with a distant reference increased the likelihood of sampling divergent copies from grasses.

Genome Biology and Evolution

With this deeply entrenched culture, the likelihood of ending Nigeria's insurgencies seems like a distant prospect.

The Guardian

A distant siren cried.

The New Yorker

A distant foghorn blows.

The New Yorker

Catalina Island, a distant mirage.

The New Yorker

Efficiency is a distant dream.

The Economist

That's a distant dream".

The New Yorker

Stanford was a distant fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distant likelihood" when you want to downplay the probability of an event occurring, suggesting it's not worth serious consideration but still technically possible.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant likelihood" when you mean something is impossible. The phrase implies a small chance, not zero chance. For absolute impossibility, use terms like "no chance" or "impossible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant likelihood" functions as a noun phrase, specifically describing the degree of probability associated with a particular event or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate a situation or event that has a low probability of occurring.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distant likelihood" is used to describe an event or outcome that has a low probability of occurring. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While its frequency is rare, it appears in reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, be mindful of overstating the improbability and consider alternatives like "a remote possibility" or "a slight chance" depending on the intended nuance. It's mostly appropriate for neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remote possibility

Changes "likelihood" to "possibility" and "distant" to "remote", both suggesting a low probability.

a slight chance

Replaces "distant likelihood" with "slight chance", indicating a small possibility.

an improbable event

Shifts the focus to the event itself being improbable, rather than the likelihood of it occurring.

a slim prospect

Uses "slim prospect" to convey a low chance of something happening.

a faint hope

Implies a weak or uncertain hope for a particular outcome.

an unlikely outcome

Focuses on the outcome being unlikely rather than the probability.

a negligible probability

Emphasizes that the probability is so small it can be ignored.

a far-fetched scenario

Suggests the situation is unrealistic or difficult to believe.

a theoretical chance

Indicates a chance that exists only in theory, not in practice.

a questionable possibility

Highlights the doubtfulness or uncertainty surrounding the possibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distant likelihood" to describe an event that is unlikely to happen. For example, "There is "a distant likelihood" of rain tomorrow, so we should proceed with our outdoor plans."

What phrases are similar to "a distant likelihood"?

Alternatives include "a remote possibility", "a slight chance", or "an unlikely outcome". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a distant likely" instead of "a distant likelihood"?

No, "a distant likely" is not grammatically correct. "Likelihood" is a noun referring to the probability of something happening, while "likely" is an adjective. You need the noun form in this context.

What's the difference between "a distant likelihood" and "a distant prospect"?

"A distant likelihood" refers specifically to the probability of an event occurring. "A distant prospect" refers to something that is not likely to happen or be achieved in the near future. The former is about probability, the latter is about possibility and timing.