a faint chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a faint chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a very small possibility of something happening. Example: "There is a faint chance that it might rain tomorrow, but the forecast looks clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Opinion

Tech

Science

Wiki

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Cashing the diamonds would leave him with a faint chance of scoring the heart jack.

The New York Times - Arts

Quentin Richardson made only one of two free throws with 1.1 seconds to play, giving the Knicks a faint chance.

The New York Times - Sports

"You are sure?" "There is a faint chance that one lives but if you ask me, things look bad.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a curious ending to a game in which the Giants had shown little urgency or tempo when they still had a faint chance to win.

The New York Times - Sports

But if the seventh-ranked Buffaloes upset Texas as they upset Nebraska last week, Colorado would find itself in one of the four B.C.S. bowls -- with a faint chance of playing for the title.

The New York Times - Sports

That contract would not have been doubled and would have had a faint chance of succeeding: West would probably have led her partner's club suit, and East might have attempted to take two tricks there with disastrous consequences.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In contrast, again, the clock comes into play even in the case of multi-day Test and first-class cricket: the possibility of a draw often encourages a team that is batting last and well behind to bat defensively, giving up any faint chance at a win to avoid a loss.

Wikipedia

Rochdale maintained their faint chance of a play-off spot with a 2-0 victory at Hartlepool.

The Guardian - Sport

And Moyet admitted there's even the faint chance of a new album.

The Guardian - Music

Cast and crew are keeping quiet about how Peep Show might conclude, though Bain has confirmed that Mark and his feckless housemate Jez will not meet a sticky demise, allowing the faint chance of some resurrection in the future.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The only vehicles up here are 4x4s that look like they've seen combat; the only shops are 220km south in Broome; and the only thing to worry about is the faint chance of a tsunami sweeping the whole lot away.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a faint chance" when you want to downplay the probability of something happening, but still acknowledge that it's not entirely impossible.

Common error

Avoid using "a faint chance" when the possibility is actually significant. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader or listener about the true likelihood of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a faint chance" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the degree of possibility of a certain event or outcome. As Ludwig confirms, it is a grammatically sound and acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

12%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Opinion

8%

Tech

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a faint chance" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express a small probability or possibility. According to Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that Ludwig suggests that you can use "a faint chance" when you want to downplay the probability of something happening. Consider using alternatives like "a slim chance" or "a slight possibility" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slim chance

Emphasizes the thinness or lack of substance of the possibility.

a slight possibility

Focuses on the small degree of possibility rather than the strength of the chance.

a remote possibility

Highlights the distance or unlikelihood of the possibility occurring.

a negligible possibility

Stresses that the possibility is so small it's almost not worth considering.

an outside chance

Indicates a possibility that exists but is not very likely.

a distant hope

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of hoping for something unlikely.

a long shot

Highlights that success depends on luck, but is possible.

a glimmer of hope

Focuses on the small amount of hope remaining.

a snowball's chance in hell

An idiomatic expression denoting an extremely low probability of success.

a prayer

Suggests the only hope is divine intervention.

FAQs

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

You can use "a faint chance" to indicate a small possibility, as in "There's "a faint chance" that the game will be canceled due to weather, but it's unlikely."

What are some alternatives to "a faint chance"?

Alternatives include "a slim chance", "a slight possibility", or "a remote possibility".

Is it better to say "a faint chance" or "a small chance"?

Both are correct, but "a faint chance" implies an even smaller possibility than "a small chance". The best choice depends on the context and the degree of possibility you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a faint chance" and "a faint hope"?

"A faint chance" refers to a small possibility that something will happen, while "a faint hope" expresses a small amount of optimism or expectation that something desirable will occur. The former focuses on probability, the latter on emotion.