a remote possibility that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a remote possibility that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a very low likelihood of something occurring. Example: "There is a remote possibility that we might see a significant increase in sales next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Even if no caches of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons are found, Dr. Kay said, the search will provide lessons on how to improve "the quality of intelligence". And even if there is "only a remote possibility" that aged weapons still exist, he said, it is vital to keep them out of the wrong hands.

The New York Times

One possibility, suggested by some discussions, is that one might claim that rather than the story's being a remote possibility that has only a miniscule chance of being true, the story represents "a real possibility", and so has a substantial chance of being true.

SEP

There is a remote possibility that charges could be filed against both men.

The New York Times - Sports

There is a remote possibility that they damaged cells that control Meyer's memory.

The New York Times - Science

Isn't there a remote possibility that Gerhartsreiter really is a member of the Rockefeller family?

The New York Times

He added that there was even a remote possibility that "The Falling Soldier" could be by Taro and not Capa.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

A major Met Office review of more than 100 scientific studies tracking the observed changes in the Earth's climate system finds that it is an "increasingly remote possibility" that human activity is not the main cause of climate change.

The Guardian

"There was still a very remote possibility that she was alive," he said recently.

The New Yorker

This assumes that the actors do not walk out or — a more remote possibility — that studios do not lock out actors to force them to reach a work agreement.

The New York Times - Arts

One baseball official said it was a highly remote possibility that the Mets could trade Vaughn this off-season, and that the team was planning for Vaughn to play first base again in 2003.

The New York Times - Sports

"Until this structure is in place there is a very remote possibility that Hammersmith Flyover will collapse". Not only does the high structure carry heavy traffic, but roads and pedestrians pass underneath.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a remote possibility that" to acknowledge a very small chance of something happening, often when you want to be comprehensive but manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "a remote possibility that" when the event is actually more likely. It's meant for situations with a very low probability, not moderate or high chances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a remote possibility that" functions as a qualifier, indicating a low probability or likelihood of a particular event or situation. It is typically used to introduce a condition or outcome that is unlikely but still conceivable, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

23%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a remote possibility that" is a commonly used phrase to express a low likelihood of something occurring. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical status is correct. It appears most frequently in news and media sources and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it's useful for acknowledging potential outcomes, ensure you're not overstating the likelihood when using it. Consider alternatives such as ""a slight chance that"" or ""it's unlikely that"" to fine-tune the nuance of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight chance that

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

a slim chance that

Substitutes "remote" with "slim", suggesting a minimal probability.

a low probability that

Replaces "possibility" with "probability" and "remote" with "low", directly stating the likelihood.

a minimal likelihood that

Replaces "possibility" with "likelihood" and "remote" with "minimal", emphasizing the slight chance.

a negligible chance that

Uses "negligible" to emphasize the insignificance of the possibility.

a rare possibility that

Suggests the event is not common or likely to occur.

a faint hope that

Conveys a weak expectation or wish for something to happen.

an outside chance that

Indicates a possibility that is not very likely or probable.

a theoretical possibility that

Emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the possibility.

it's unlikely that

Directly states the improbability of an event, omitting "possibility".

FAQs

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

You can use "a remote possibility that" to introduce an event or outcome that is unlikely but still worth considering. For example, "There is "a remote possibility that" the meeting will be cancelled due to weather conditions".

What are some alternatives to "a remote possibility that"?

Alternatives include "a slight chance that", "a slim chance that", or "it's unlikely that". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "remote possibility" or "slim possibility"?

"Remote possibility" and "slim possibility" are very similar. "Slim possibility" might suggest a slightly more optimistic view, but both indicate a low likelihood. The best choice depends on the tone you want to set.

What does it mean when someone says there is "a remote possibility"?

It means that the event being discussed is very unlikely to happen. However, the speaker acknowledges that it is still within the realm of possibility, however small.