a slight probability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight probability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood of an event occurring, indicating that there is a small chance of it happening. Example: "There is a slight probability that it might rain tomorrow, so you may want to carry an umbrella just in case."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He says the Whitestone had "a slight probability" of being blown down before he fitted it in 1985 with a 94-ton tuned mass damper -- in layman's terms, an antiwobble device similar to the one "that keeps people in the top of the Citicorp building from getting seasick".

The New York Times

Afterwards, each gene of the individual in the population has a slight probability to be mutated (0.5%).

European Transport Research Review

As both the hospital were located at the same city there was a slight probability of contamination between the groups.

BMC Health Services Research

Avoid the late night parties and college get together, if there is even a slight probability that Ecstasy pills would be in your reach.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In addition, as the GRP is activated in a very slight probability and most of results from SDP meet the rank-one constraint, we only consider the computational complexity of SVD herein.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Thus, when counseling for Clinical Exome Sequencing results, the slight probability of a high quality variant being an analytical false positive is typically a minor consideration compared to the uncertainty of genotype-phenotype relationships.

Genetics in Medicine

Figure 11a shows that, in dry condition, small earthquake with PGA of 0.05 g would only probably excites minor landslide (Rsv < 0.1), while the Figure 11b suggests slight probability (7.7%) of major landslide (Rsv > 0.75) when earthquake with PGA of 0.1 g hit the location.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

However, the shift is not that extensive due to slight probability of interaction (limited number of displays and diverted attention) and usefulness of information being displayed (all PoAs are not necessarily useful).

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Inpatient rehabilitation was associated with a slight increase in probability of being available for follow-up at 60 months (OR=.56; 95% CI,.32 .98).

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

From 2005 onwards only a slight increase in probability of CAG at 60 days was seen.

BMJ Open

Sex-indifferent dispersal strategies had a minor rescue-effect on the entire metapopulation extinction probability, with a slight shift towards decreasing extinction probabilities under conditions that select for high dispersal (Fig 3A, B).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight probability", ensure the context accurately reflects the low likelihood you intend to convey. Avoid using it when the chance is actually moderate or high.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight probability" when a more accurate term like "possible" or "likely" would be more appropriate. Misrepresenting the true chance can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight probability" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence to quantify the degree of likelihood. Ludwig's examples show it qualifying events or outcomes, indicating a low possibility of occurrence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight probability" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a low likelihood of an event occurring. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and readily usable in written English. While "a slight probability" is not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, especially in scientific and news-related articles. Related phrases include "a small chance" or "a low likelihood". When employing this phrase, it's essential to ensure the context accurately reflects the intended degree of possibility to prevent misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small likelihood

Replaces 'probability' with 'likelihood', emphasizing the chance of something occurring.

a minor possibility

Substitutes 'probability' with 'possibility', suggesting a chance that is not significant.

a slim chance

Uses 'slim chance' to convey a low expectation of something happening.

a remote prospect

Employs 'remote prospect' to indicate a distant or unlikely outcome.

a faint hope

Replaces the statistical term with an emotional one, indicating a small degree of optimism.

a negligible risk

Focuses on the risk aspect, portraying it as minimal.

a theoretical possibility

Highlights that the probability exists more in theory than in practical reality.

a marginal expectation

Uses 'marginal' to denote that the expectation is barely above zero.

an outside chance

Implies that the event is unlikely but still within the realm of possibility.

a touch of uncertainty

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty involved, rather than the probability itself.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight probability" in a sentence?

You can use "a slight probability" to describe events that are unlikely but still possible. For example, "There is "a slight probability" of rain tomorrow, so bring an umbrella just in case."

What can I say instead of "a slight probability"?

Alternatives include "a small chance", "a low likelihood", or "a slim possibility", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a slight probability" or "a small probability"?

Both "a slight probability" and "a small probability" are acceptable. The choice depends on personal preference, though "slight" might imply an even lower chance than "small."

What's the difference between "a slight probability" and "a distinct probability"?

"A slight probability" indicates a low chance, while "a distinct probability" suggests a clear or noticeable chance. They are nearly opposite in meaning.