a little possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a small chance or likelihood of something happening. Example: "There is a little possibility that it might rain tomorrow, so you may want to bring an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Danny Welbeck has a little possibility to be fit," Arsène Wenger told the club's website.

The Guardian - Sport

The existent kěnéng could also be graded by measure noun yì diǎn '一点a little' as in yǒu yì diǎn kěnéng 'there is a little possibility'.

Functional Linguistics

Due to the random position of the SNs, there is a little possibility that no SNs exists on the straight line between the ST and the PT.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In case if it is observed at night on 11/12, we have still a little possibility to regard this event as aurora.

Earth, Planets and Space

The phylogenetic distribution reported here suggests that, from a whole view, there is a little possibility for an avian influenza virus to infect humans or other mammals, but little possibility for a mammalian influenza virus to infect birds, though some bird infections with swine H1N1 viruses in sublineage h1.3.2 and H3N2 viruses in sublineage h3.1.6 have been found.

Plosone

There is a little possibility that diesel exhaust acted directly as an adjuvant for causing the elevation of IgE.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Israel is an established democracy, with little possibility of a military coup.

The New York Times

His preferred opening as White was the d3 Spanish, a quiet line with little possibility of unleashing a significant novelty.

The Guardian - Sport

It was at a small college with little possibility of creating an extra faculty position.

Science Magazine

After killing a defenceless turtle on a remote beach with little possibility of getting caught, the gangs can sell the skin, eggs and meat on the black market.Officials are particularly concerned by a new gang in the state of Guerrero, which slaughters turtles on the beaches north of the seaside resort of Acapulco.

The Economist

In a vacuum, there's little possibility of causing offence.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little possibility" when you want to acknowledge a chance, however small, that something might occur. It softens the statement, avoiding definitive claims.

Common error

Avoid using "a little possibility" when the likelihood is truly negligible or nonexistent. Choose more accurate phrasing like "no possibility" or "virtually impossible" to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little possibility" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "possibility". It specifies the degree or extent of the possibility, indicating that it is small or slight. Ludwig shows various examples of its use in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little possibility" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a small chance or likelihood of something occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable and can be found across various domains, including science, news, and general web content. While not extremely frequent, its usage is appropriate for conveying uncertainty or tempering expectations. When using the phrase, consider synonyms like "a slight chance" or "a small likelihood" for variety, and ensure it aligns with the actual probability to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight chance

Emphasizes the small degree of probability using "chance" instead of "possibility".

a small likelihood

Replaces "possibility" with "likelihood", focusing on the probability aspect.

a remote chance

Highlights the unlikeliness of the event occurring.

a slim chance

Uses "slim" to indicate a very minimal probability.

a faint hope

Shifts the focus to hope, suggesting a desire for the possibility to materialize.

a glimmer of hope

Implies a tiny amount of hope within a potentially negative situation.

a shadow of a chance

Indicates an even weaker possibility, almost negligible.

a theoretical possibility

Stresses that the possibility exists only in theory, not necessarily in practice.

a distant prospect

Suggests the possibility is far off in the future.

a fighting chance

Highlights that the possibility requires effort and determination to achieve.

FAQs

How can I use "a little possibility" in a sentence?

Use "a little possibility" to indicate a small chance of something happening. For example: "There's "a little possibility" that the meeting will be canceled if the weather worsens."

What are some alternatives to "a little possibility"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight chance", "a small likelihood", or "a remote possibility" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a small possibility" or "a little possibility"?

Both "a small possibility" and ""a little possibility"" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a little possibility"?

It's best to avoid using ""a little possibility"" when the event is virtually impossible or highly improbable. In such cases, phrases like "no chance" or "highly unlikely" are more accurate.