a remote possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a remote possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that is unlikely to happen but not impossible. Example: "While there is a remote possibility of rain tomorrow, the forecast suggests it will be a sunny day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Laughter seemed a remote possibility.

The New York Times

That is not such a remote possibility.

The Economist

Lung cancer was also a remote possibility.

The New York Times - Magazine

The fairway was never a remote possibility.

The New York Times - Sports

But for now those moves remain a remote possibility.

The New York Times

QUESTION FROM DOUG: Is default even now a remote possibility?

The New Yorker

But the text suggests that this is a remote possibility.

The Economist

Universal secondary education is such a remote possibility for these kids at the moment.

The Guardian

He ruled out military action against Syria, saying it was "not a remote possibility".

The Guardian

If Roe were overturned on those grounds, c. would be a remote possibility.

The New York Times

China analysts think the chances of Beijing agreeing to the latter is a remote possibility.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a remote possibility" when you want to acknowledge that something could happen, but the odds are heavily against it. It's useful for scenarios where complete dismissal isn't appropriate, but optimism is unwarranted.

Common error

Avoid using "a remote possibility" when the event is actually impossible or highly improbable. Ensure there's at least a theoretical chance before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a remote possibility" functions as a noun phrase that describes a situation or event with a low probability of occurring. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a remote possibility" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe something unlikely but not entirely impossible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for diverse contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media. While alternatives like ""a slim chance"" or ""an unlikely event"" exist, this phrase offers a balanced way to acknowledge potential outcomes while managing expectations. When using this phrase, ensure the situation has at least a theoretical chance of occurring to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slim chance

Indicates an even lower probability than "a remote possibility".

an unlikely event

Emphasizes the improbability of the occurrence.

a negligible chance

Highlights that the probability is so small it's practically insignificant.

a faint hope

Focuses on the hope aspect, despite the low likelihood.

a minimal prospect

Suggests the potential outcome is very small or limited.

a long shot

Implies that success is very difficult to achieve.

a rare occurrence

Indicates that the event happens infrequently.

an outside chance

Suggests the possibility exists but is not very strong.

a far-fetched idea

Highlights the implausibility or unreality of the idea.

a theoretical possibility

Indicates the possibility exists only in theory, not in practice.

FAQs

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

You can use "a remote possibility" to express that something is unlikely but still possible. For example: "There's "a remote possibility" that the game will be canceled due to weather, but it's expected to be clear skies."

What are some alternatives to "a remote possibility"?

Alternatives include "a slim chance", "an unlikely event", or "a negligible chance", depending on the context and the degree of improbability you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a remote possibility"?

Yes, "a remote possibility" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to indicate a low probability.

What's the difference between "a remote possibility" and "a distant possibility"?

While both phrases suggest low probability, "a remote possibility" emphasizes the unlikelihood, whereas "a distant possibility" can also imply that the event is far off in time. They are largely interchangeable, but ""a remote possibility"" is slightly more common.