a remote chance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a remote chance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small or unlikely possibility of something happening. Example: "There is a remote chance of rain tomorrow, so you might want to bring an umbrella just in case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

No other contender to lead the Fed stands even a remote chance of being confirmed.

The New York Times

Seems like ancient history, with a remote chance of repeating soon.

The New York Times - Sports

From a legal perspective, experts say, the lawsuit has a remote chance of success.

The Guardian

There was never a remote chance of Marshall's suggestion being taken seriously, he added.

The Guardian

"He knows that if he doesn't fix New York State, he won't have even a remote chance of being president.

The New York Times

That play would usually result in defeat by several additional tricks, and had only a remote chance of success.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

They explained that they had no regrets about how much time they had spent interviewing the best college coaches for their vacant head coaching spot, despite knowing there was only a remote chance one of them would leave for the N.F.L.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Clapper, the director of national intelligence, told the Senate Intelligence Committee that American spy agencies saw only a "remote chance" in the next two years of a major computer attack on the United States, which he defined as an operation that "would result in long-term, wide-scale disruption of services, such as a regional power outage".

The New York Times

"There's no one out there who has a more remote chance of being elected, unless Trump decides to run," one aide said.

The New Yorker

The proposal, which originated in economics and business blogs and has a vanishingly remote chance of happening, has won ample attention and garnered new controversy as Republicans and the White House seem to be headed for yet another standoff over a legal limit on the country's debt — a fight that may come as soon as next month.

The New York Times

"Given our current understanding of this asteroid's orbit, there is only a very remote chance of this keyhole passage even occurring," Johnson said.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a remote chance of", ensure the context clearly conveys the low probability of the event. Avoid using it when a more direct expression of uncertainty is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the potential outcome when using "a remote chance of". This phrase signifies a very low probability, so ensure your description aligns with that level of unlikelihood to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a remote chance of" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a very low probability or possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing unlikely scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Sport

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a remote chance of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an event with a very low probability. As Ludwig AI suggests, its usage is straightforward, serving to temper expectations in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys a sense of skepticism or doubt while acknowledging a small possibility. While alternatives like "slim chance of" or "slight possibility of" exist, "a remote chance of" distinctly emphasizes the unlikelihood of the event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slim chance of

Indicates a very low probability, almost negligible, differing by emphasizing the thinness of the possibility.

Little likelihood of

Focuses on the lack of probability, replacing "chance" with "likelihood" to denote a similar low expectation.

Marginal possibility of

Suggests the possibility exists but is very small or insignificant, differing in the use of "marginal" to downplay the chance.

Outside chance of

Implies the chance is so low it's almost not worth considering, changing the emphasis to a chance that exists outside normal expectations.

Faint hope of

Shifts the focus to hope rather than statistical probability, indicating a weak or fragile expectation.

Minimal prospect of

Emphasizes the lack of a positive outlook, using "prospect" instead of "chance" to convey a similar sense of low probability.

Unlikely event of

Frames the possibility as an event that is not expected to occur, differing by focusing on the event's improbability.

Theoretical possibility of

Suggests the chance exists only in theory and is unlikely to materialize, emphasizing the hypothetical nature.

Negligible risk of

Highlights that the risk is so small it can be ignored, reframing the chance as a minimal risk.

A prayer's chance of

A phrase suggesting that only divine intervention could make the event happen, emphasizing the desperation and unlikeliness.

FAQs

How can I use "a remote chance of" in a sentence?

Use "a remote chance of" to describe situations where the probability of an event occurring is very low. For example: "There is "a remote chance of" rain tomorrow."

What are some alternatives to "a remote chance of"?

Alternatives include "slim chance of", "slight possibility of", or "minimal prospect of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a remotely chance of" instead of "a remote chance of"?

No, the correct phrasing is ""a remote chance of"". Using "remotely" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "a slight chance of" and "a remote chance of"?

"A slight chance of" implies a low possibility, while ""a remote chance of"" suggests an even lower, more improbable possibility. The latter indicates a higher degree of unlikelihood.