a slim possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slim possibility" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a small chance or likelihood of something happening. Example: Even though she had studied hard, there was still a slim possibility that she would fail the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But that was (and remains) a threat; a slim possibility, should geopolitics spiral out of control.

The Guardian

Scientists here said there was a slim possibility that Ranger-4 would hit the moon Thursday morning.

The New York Times

Small fires were still burning, though firefighters said there was a slim possibility falling debris could have protected some artworks.

The Guardian

There was still a slim possibility that Rodriguez would accept a last-minute deal for a lesser suspension, perhaps for 150 games, without an appeal.

The New York Times - Sports

Putting aside that such a scenario is a slim possibility, even if it did happen, it wouldn't actually a direct threat to the United States.

The Guardian - Opinion

Executives there indicated that there was a slim possibility that the setting for "Wonderland" could be used for an HBO series.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It says: "This will further reduce any slim possibility of maintaining global temperature changes at or below 2C (3.6F) and thereby increase the risk of entering a period of 'dangerous climate change'".

BBC

We had a very slim possibility of surviving, and we did and here we are".

The New York Times - Sports

In an interview Friday in his Capitol office, the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who has warned for months about the dangers of transferring detainees, said Mr. Obama's chance of closing the prisons was now "a very slim possibility".

The New York Times

Although freshly isolated HSCs are known to have a very slim possibility of escape from immune rejection upon allogeneic transplantation, current evidence suggests that in vivo the HSC niche provides an immune-privileged site for HSCs.

Cell and Bioscience

Most have uneasily come to terms with the slim possibility of a chemical disaster as a trade-off for the military's strong economic presence in the area.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slim possibility" to convey a realistic assessment when acknowledging a small chance of something occurring, especially when you want to avoid giving false hope or overstating the likelihood.

Common error

Avoid using "a slim possibility" when the event is highly improbable. Instead, opt for phrases that convey near impossibility to prevent misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slim possibility" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "possibility", indicating a low degree of probability or likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard English construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slim possibility" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a low degree of likelihood. As noted by Ludwig AI, the expression is accepted. It's versatile enough to be used in various contexts, from news reports to casual conversations, though it appears most frequently in news and media. Related phrases include ""a slight chance"" and ""a remote possibility"". When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of a low probability to avoid misleading the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight chance

Focuses on the 'chance' aspect, implying a low probability.

a remote possibility

Emphasizes the distance or unlikelihood of the event occurring.

a faint hope

Highlights the element of hope, even if minimal.

a small likelihood

Uses 'likelihood' to convey a low probability.

a negligible probability

Stresses the insignificance of the chance.

a minimal prospect

Focuses on the outlook or possibility of success.

a slender hope

Similar to 'faint hope' but emphasizes fragility.

a long shot

An informal way of saying that something is unlikely to succeed.

an outside chance

Suggests the possibility exists, but is not very probable.

a shadow of a chance

Emphasizes how little opportunity there is.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slim possibility" to indicate a low chance of something happening, such as: "There is "a slim possibility" that the game will be canceled due to rain."

What are some alternatives to "a slim possibility"?

Alternatives include "a slight chance", "a remote possibility", or "a negligible probability", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a slim chance" instead of "a slim possibility"?

Yes, "a slim chance" is a very similar expression and often interchangeable with "a slim possibility". Both indicate a low likelihood of something occurring.

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

"A slim possibility" suggests a low likelihood, while "a strong possibility" indicates a high likelihood. They are antonyms and convey opposite levels of probability.