a minute possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

'a minute possibility' is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
Generally, it is used to refer to something that has a very small chance of occurring. For example, "We have a minute possibility of finding an open restaurant at this hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Furthermore, 32.4% of the participants thought that, as long as the female menstrual cycle was irregular, there was only a minute possibility of pregnancy.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Except for the minute possibility that a hurricane could whirl in and wash out the event, I wasn't nervous.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is even the minute possibility that we could own the original manuscript, but a printed score available in any reputable music store will (or should) give us the same messages and is probably easier to read.

The New York Times - Arts

Bookings at Per Se are going fast, though lunch reservations are a last-minute possibility.

The New York Times - Food

As the singing stops and the players find their spot "around the ten-yard circle that until / Tonight seemed redundant" (Paul Farley, "A Minute's Silence"), the possibility that homage will turn to insult hangs over football stadiums like a threat of terror.

The Guardian - Books

As the singing stops and the players find their spot "around the ten-yard circle that until tonight seemed redundant" (Paul Farley, "A Minute's Silence"), the possibility that homage will turn to insult hangs over football stadiums like a threat of terror.

Huffington Post

Brass players are tinkerers at heart, always exploring the possibility that a minute change in lip or tongue placement might unlock new sonic worlds.

The New Yorker

Think that over for a minute, and ask yourself: What possibility is there of any actual "food" in such a product?

Huffington Post

He talks a mile a minute, waxes enthusiastic about myriad possibilities, and avoids saying anything definitive.

The New Yorker

We were dry and we were unhurt, which just a minute or two ago seemed unlikely possibilities.

Huffington Post

Give us a minute or two here to consider the possibilities.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a minute possibility" when you want to emphasize how unlikely something is, but without completely dismissing it as impossible. This is useful in scenarios where acknowledging even the smallest chance is important.

Common error

Avoid using "a minute possibility" when the event is actually impossible. The phrase implies a small chance, not a zero chance. If something truly cannot happen, use phrases like "no chance" or "impossible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minute possibility" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It qualifies a noun ("possibility") with an adjective ("minute") to express a low degree of likelihood. Ludwig AI considers this a valid English phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minute possibility" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a very small chance of something occurring. According to Ludwig AI, this is a valid English construction. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It's best employed when conveying a low probability without entirely dismissing the potential outcome. Related phrases like ""a slight chance"" or ""a remote possibility"" can be used as alternatives to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight chance

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

a slim chance

Substitutes "minute" with "slim", both suggesting a small likelihood or probability.

next to no chance

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the minimal probability of something happening.

hardly any chance

Emphasizes the scarcity of any real possibility.

a remote possibility

"Remote" replaces "minute", conveying that the possibility is not very likely or probable.

a negligible possibility

"Negligible" emphasizes that the possibility is so small that it's practically insignificant.

a trivial possibility

"Trivial" suggests the possibility is of little importance or consequence.

a faint hope

Shifts from "possibility" to "hope", implying a small chance combined with desire.

a snowball's chance in hell

An idiomatic expression meaning virtually no chance at all.

a prayer

Implies the possibility is so slight that it's more of a wish than a realistic expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minute possibility" to indicate a very small chance of something happening. For example, "There's "a minute possibility" that the flight will be delayed, but it's unlikely."

What phrases are similar to "a minute possibility"?

Similar phrases include "a slight chance", "a slim chance", or "a remote possibility". These all suggest a low probability of something occurring.

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

Both "a small possibility" and "a minute possibility" are grammatically correct, but "a minute possibility" emphasizes the tininess of the chance even more. The choice depends on the degree of improbability you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "a minute possibility"?

It is inappropriate to use "a minute possibility" if the event in question is actually impossible. The phrase implies there is still some, however small, chance of it happening. In cases of impossibility, use expressions like "no possibility" or "impossible" instead.