a slim one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slim one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is thin or narrow, often in a figurative sense, such as a slim chance or slim margin. Example: "The chances of winning the lottery are a slim one, but I still buy a ticket every week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"There is a window there but it's now a slim one," he told reporters on Friday in Perth.

The Guardian - Sport

If there is an advantage in this, it is a slim one for Louisville, which thrives on an up-tempo game.

The New York Times - Sports

There is also a possibility (albeit a slim one) that control of the Senate could hinge on Orman, should he defeat Roberts on Tuesday.

Vice

Only a slim one.

The Guardian - Sport

That's a slim one point lead for Cleveland.

The Guardian - Sport

A new poll suggests that it might be a slim one.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Leg 4 started Monday afternoon from Norfolk, and by yesterday afternoon, Ecover, skippered by Mike Golding, had taken a slim one-mile lead on Kingfisher, skippered by Nick Moloney, with Gartmore, skippered by Josh Hall, 19 miles astern and the all-female team aboard AlphaGraphics 35 miles behind.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately for the Falcons, they couldn't capitalize on their opportunities and didn't protect a slim one-goal lead in the second half.

Los Angeles Times

The Spartans outscored the Eagles by double-digits in the second half to turn a slim one-point lead at halftime into a 53-39 victony on Wednesday and gives La Cañada a second consecutive berth in the semifinals, where they will travel to face Santa Margarita on Saturday.

Los Angeles Times

Packers 13-14 BeArs A Matt Forte rushing touchdown gives Chicago a slim one-point lead.

The Guardian - Sport

Liberman's withdrawal from the government this week left Netanyahu with a slim one-seat majority in the 120-seat Israeli parliament, the Knesset.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slim one" when you want to subtly downplay the size or importance of something. It's more nuanced than simply saying "small".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "a slim one" can sound too casual or informal in academic or business writing. Opt for more precise language like "a narrow margin" or "a slight chance" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

"A slim one" functions as a noun phrase, where "slim" modifies the pronoun "one". It refers to a previously mentioned noun, attributing it the characteristic of being small or thin. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slim one" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe something thin, small, or having a low probability. Ludwig AI analysis and real-world examples show its prevalent use in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of your writing and opt for more precise language in academic or business settings. Related phrases include "a narrow one" and "a slight one", which offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a narrow one

Emphasizes the limited width or scope.

a slight one

Indicates a small degree or amount.

a thin one

A more literal and direct synonym, emphasizing lack of thickness.

a slender one

Highlights the gracefulness or elegance of thinness.

a meager one

Focuses on the insufficiency or inadequacy.

a marginal one

Suggests being barely within acceptable limits.

a reduced one

Implies a decrease in size or amount.

a compressed one

Highlights the squeezing or compacting of something.

a streamlined one

Suggests efficiency and lack of unnecessary bulk.

a pared-down one

Emphasizes the removal of non-essential elements.

FAQs

How can I use "a slim one" in a sentence?

You can use "a slim one" to describe something that is thin or narrow, or to indicate a small chance or advantage. For example, "The possibility of him winning is "a slim one"."

What does "a slim one" mean?

"A slim one" generally refers to something that is thin in size or has a small likelihood of occurring. It implies a lack of substance or a marginal chance of success.

Which is more appropriate, "a slim chance" or ""a slim one""?

Both "a slim chance" and ""a slim one"" are grammatically correct, but "a slim chance" is more explicit. "A slim one" implies that you are referring back to something previously mentioned in the conversation.

Are there any negative connotations associated with using ""a slim one""?

Not inherently. However, depending on the context, it can subtly downplay the importance or likelihood of something, which could be perceived as negative if the situation requires a more direct assessment.