a slight possibility of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight possibility of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the likelihood of an event occurring, indicating that it is not very likely but still possible. Example: "There is a slight possibility of rain tomorrow, so you might want to bring an umbrella just in case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I was wait-listed at U.N.C., but there's still a slight possibility of being accepted, so I still want to consider it.

The New York Times

But, and this is an important "but," the potential for really disastrous terrorist attacks will go up even though there is only a slight possibility of fissile material being sold to terrorists.

Stanford University

Arthur I. Weinstein, vice president of the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums, said that even if there is only a slight possibility of a blackout, buildings should have plans in place just in case.

The New York Times

But Ms. West adds: "One must also know something about feelings of loss: what does it feel like to lose the use of a hand, or to lose even just a slight possibility of years of life?

The New York Times

But Ms. West adds: "One must also know something about feelings of loss: What does it feel like to lose the use of a hand, or to lose even just a slight possibility of years of life?" How, she wonders, did this mainstream idea "in the first decade of the 21st century, become positively toxic, at least in the context of confirmation battles to the Supreme Court".

The New York Times

There was also a slight possibility of a "surprise" device featuring an Intel CPU.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Miksic notes that most conclusions regarding the slab have been on the basis of rubbings or photographs, and thus there is a "slight possibility" that detailed analysis of fragments of the sandstone slab may provide more information about the age of the inscription or the nature of its contents.

Wikipedia

There is a slight possibility that, because of some positive economic data released in late April, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan Alan Greenspan will elect to not cut rates at all, says Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Jeffries & Co.

Forbes

There is a slight possibility that some of the controls with PSA less than 4 ng/ml may actually have prostate cancer that remains undetected.

BMC Cancer

Mr. Hesse, who said he's never worked anywhere but on a farm, said there's a very slight possibility of restarting the business.

The New York Times

In research that could aid decisions about future asteroids on a collision course with Earth, MIT scientists have for the first time determined the composition of a near-Earth asteroid that has a very slight possibility of someday hitting our planet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight possibility of", ensure that the context clearly conveys the uncertainty and low likelihood you intend to express. Consider whether a stronger or weaker phrase might be more appropriate based on the specific situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight possibility of" when the likelihood is actually higher. Using this phrase inappropriately can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility. For scenarios with higher probabilities, consider using phrases like "a real possibility of" or "a good chance of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight possibility of" primarily functions as a qualifier to a noun or noun phrase, indicating a low degree of likelihood or chance for the event or situation described. Ludwig examples show it expressing uncertainty across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight possibility of" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered phrase used to denote a low degree of likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys caution or tempered expectation across diverse contexts, from news reporting to scientific discussions. While commonly found in news and media, scientific, and wiki sources, its usage in academia is less frequent. Remember to use this phrase when you want to acknowledge a chance of something happening without overstating its probability. Alternatives such as "a slim chance of" or "a remote possibility of" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remote possibility of

Emphasizes how unlikely something is.

a slim chance of

Focuses on the smallness of the opportunity.

a low probability of

Uses more formal language to indicate a small chance.

a small likelihood of

Similar to 'probability' but with slightly less formal tone.

a negligible risk of

Highlights the insignificance of the danger involved.

a minimal prospect of

Suggests the outlook for something is barely noticeable.

a faint hope of

Emphasizes the weakness of the hope.

a theoretical possibility of

Indicates the possibility exists only in theory.

a distant chance of

Suggests the likelihood is far off or unlikely to happen soon.

an outside chance of

Indicates a very improbable event, often implying surprise if it occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight possibility of" in a sentence?

Use "a slight possibility of" to indicate a low likelihood of something happening. For example, "There is a slight possibility of rain today", meaning it's not very likely, but still possible.

What are some alternatives to "a slight possibility of"?

You can use alternatives like "a slim chance of", "a remote possibility of", or "a low probability of depending on the context".

Is it better to use "a slight chance of" or "a slight possibility of"?

"A slight chance of" and "a slight possibility of" are very similar and often interchangeable. "Chance" is slightly more informal, while "possibility" can be used in more formal contexts.

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

"A slight possibility of" indicates a low likelihood, while "a strong possibility of" indicates a high likelihood. The choice depends on the actual probability of the event.