a marginal chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"a marginal chance" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small chance or possibility of something happening or being successful. For example, "We have a marginal chance of winning the competition, but we're going to give it our all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

England's sloppy 25-13 win over the Scots means they lead the table on points scored but have a tough final-day assignment against France, whose 29-0 win over Italy gave them a marginal chance of winning the tournament, should all the others slip up.

The Guardian - Sport

The peak American moment as the sole superpower is now well past -- and there's no overall recovery in sight, only a marginal chance of success in areas such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where the United States remains the only major power whose clout counts.

Huffington Post

Survival-related dates are less important in palliative care than are quality-of-life issues, while quality of life is considered less important if there is a (marginal) chance of cure.

BMC Medical Ethics

Both Bleck and Mayer, neurologists practicing in the US, are reluctant to withdraw an enormous expenditure of time and resources if there is a marginal chance for survival [ 11].

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"All men over 15 know they have a very marginal chance of making it [as an athlete] in the professional world of sports," Steinberg said.

Los Angeles Times

It's a very marginal chance," said NWS meteorologist Emily Thornton.

Los Angeles Times

"I wonder what the disruptive payoff is that we're getting that's worth even a marginal extra chance of nuclear war?" said Jason Healey, a former military ­cyber-operator and now a senior research scholar at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.

The Washington Post

They decide the risk of incontinence and impotence isn't worth the marginal chance of preventing prostate cancer.

The New York Times

Later came co-firing, a marginal change.

The Economist

Because of the extensive evolutionary elaboration of neocortex, a structural loss in humans comparable with the severe ablation phenotype is likely to result in gross microtelencephaly, with marginal chances for fetal survival to birth (Jones, 1997; Striedter, 2005).

ASN Neuro

The college was growing and might be willing to take a chance on a marginal student.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal chance", clarify the context. Add details on why the chance is marginal and what factors influence it, such as "There is a marginal chance of rain tomorrow due to a weak front moving through the area."

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal chance" when the actual probability is higher. Using it incorrectly can mislead readers or listeners about the true likelihood of an event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal chance" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It modifies the noun "chance" with the adjective "marginal", indicating the smallness or insignificance of the possibility. Ludwig examples show it preceding verbs like "is", "for" or nouns like "survival".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a marginal chance" describes a situation with a very low probability of occurrence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. While the phrase is used in both news and scientific contexts, its overall frequency is rare. The phrase serves to temper expectations by acknowledging a potential outcome while emphasizing its unlikelihood. When using "a marginal chance", clarify the context with details about factors influencing the event's likelihood, and avoid overstating the significance of the chance when a higher probability exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimal chance

Emphasizes the extremely small size of the chance.

a slight chance

Indicates a small but noticeable possibility.

a negligible chance

Highlights that the chance is so small it can be disregarded.

a slim chance

Suggests the chance is narrow or thin, implying difficulty.

a remote chance

Indicates that the chance is far off or unlikely.

a small possibility

Replaces "chance" with the more general term "possibility".

a faint hope

Shifts the focus to hope rather than chance, conveying a weak expectation.

a long shot

Uses an idiomatic expression for something with a very low probability of success.

an outside chance

Suggests a chance that exists but is not very probable.

a snowball's chance in hell

An idiom expressing an extremely low or nonexistent probability.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal chance" to describe a situation where the probability of something happening is very low. For example, "There's "a marginal chance" that the project will be completed on time, given the current delays."

What are some alternatives to "a marginal chance"?

Alternatives include "a slim chance", "a slight chance", or "a remote possibility". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of improbability you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a marginal chance" in formal writing?

Yes, "a marginal chance" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing probabilities or risks. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document.

What's the difference between "a marginal chance" and "a good chance"?

"A marginal chance" indicates a low probability, while "a good chance" suggests a high probability. Using the correct phrase is crucial for accurately conveying the likelihood of an event.