a minimal possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimal possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that has a very low chance of occurring. Example: "There is a minimal possibility that the event will be canceled due to weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her husband could take her home the next day, given the minimal possibility of a recurrence.

The New York Times - Magazine

All the frazzled people in this amazingly populous novel act pretty heedlessly, obeying impulses of which they are not always fully aware, and in some weird way their lack of principles serves them well, not necessarily protecting them from harm but at least supplying, moment to moment, some minimal possibility of happiness — a sense of being alive.

The New York Times - Books

The strengths of this study include the large prospective cohort with an objective assessment of diabetes incidence and well-defined confounders, with minimal possibility of recall and information bias.

Diabetes Care

The value of the DNA compared to the minimal possibility of intrusion -- I come down on the side of collecting the DNA".

The New York Times

end{aligned} Moreover, the constant bound ((m/M +(M/m)) is the minimal possibility.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

This leaves minimal possibility for cooperative conformational transition involving amide protons.

Plosone

Among all AKI cases, the injury caused by sepsis seems to be diagnosed particularly late, with minimal possibility for timely treatment.

BioMed Research International

The current study benefited from a large cohort of women with prospectively collected data on anthropometric childhood factors, MD, and breast cancer, with minimal possibility of recall, information, or selection bias.

Breast Cancer Research

The high-resolution/accurate mass measurements of the parent and product ions allow for selective identification of DNA adducts with minimal possibility of false positives while providing valuable molecular formula information.

Analytical Chemistry

However, until better quality evidence becomes available, it appears that UK eye care practitioners have taken the view that a recommendation to eat more leafy green vegetables and increase omega 3 fatty acid intake is beneficial, with minimal possibility of harm.

BMC Public Health

There are few job opportunities and minimal possibilities for education".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minimal possibility", ensure the context clearly indicates why the possibility is minimal. Providing specific reasons strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a minimal possibility" when a situation is demonstrably impossible. This phrase implies some chance, however small, exists. If there's no chance, use stronger terms like "impossible" or "no chance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimal possibility" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a situation or event with a very low chance of occurring. Based on available examples from Ludwig, this phrase is generally used to express a low degree of likelihood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minimal possibility" is a noun phrase used to describe something with a very low likelihood. It is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news-related articles. While it indicates a low probability, it still acknowledges that some chance, however small, exists. Alternatives include "a slight possibility" or "a remote possibility". When using this phrase, be sure the context clearly indicates why the possibility is minimal to enhance clarity and avoid overstating the implication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight possibility

Replaces "minimal" with "slight", emphasizing the small degree of possibility.

a remote possibility

Substitutes "minimal" with "remote", suggesting the possibility is distant or unlikely.

a slim chance

Replaces "possibility" with "chance" and "minimal" with "slim", indicating a low probability.

a negligible possibility

Emphasizes that the possibility is so small it can be disregarded.

a very small chance

Uses more direct language to describe a low probability.

a low likelihood

Replaces "possibility" with "likelihood", indicating a reduced probability.

a slight chance of occurring

Adds "of occurring" to emphasize the action of the possibility.

a faint hope

Uses "hope" instead of "possibility", suggesting a desire for something unlikely.

a long shot

An idiomatic expression indicating a very low chance of success.

an outside chance

Indicates that the possibility exists, but is not very likely.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minimal possibility" to describe something that is unlikely but still conceivable. For example, "There is a minimal possibility of rain tomorrow."

What are some alternatives to "a minimal possibility"?

Alternatives include "a slight possibility", "a remote possibility", or "a slim chance". These phrases all convey a low probability.

Is "a minimal possibility" formal or informal?

"A minimal possibility" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its level of formality is neutral.

What's the difference between "a minimal possibility" and "a strong possibility"?

"A minimal possibility" indicates a very low chance of something happening, whereas "a strong possibility" suggests a high likelihood.