a small chance for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small chance for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood of a particular outcome or event occurring, often in a context where the probability is low. Example: "There is a small chance for rain tomorrow, so you might want to carry an umbrella just in case."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Although rapid detection of the latter during an outbreak could save healthy animals from culling, the fact that there is a small chance for misdiagnosis means that most susceptible animals in outbreak areas are euthanized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sub-area 1, 2 and 3 show that there is only a small chance for a miss classification.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

There's a small chance, for instance, that a hint of blue in its reflection could point to a past episode of heating that might have destroyed the anticipated organic molecules, says Mike Zolensky, a space dust scientist at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Science Magazine

"When I came to Kenya, I was a refugee without any value," he told me, "but now I am a refugee who has some value and who can make a small chance for my people".

Vice

Values below the middle line (probability = 0.5) indicates a small chance for outbreak.

Plosone

In this context, there is still a small chance for serendipity, which must always be considered.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Headsets and hand-held computerized pads mean less running around, fewer clerks, softer voices, a smaller chance for error.

The New York Times

Decreased cellular uptake of the NPs can result in each intracellular vesicle containing fewer NPs, leading to a smaller chance for plasmonic coupling and spectral shift.

Nanoscale Research Letters

For patients with TMSB15A-negative TNBC, who have a smaller chance for therapy response, novel treatment options, and experimental therapeutics should be considered.

British Journal of Cancer

With only one surgical procedure needed there is a smaller chance for occurrence of comorbidities, the hospital stay will be shortened, and healthcare costs will be reduced.

BioMed Research International

Most preventive interventions carry only a small chance of benefit for the individual and patients may decide that this is insufficient to justify the taking of regular medication indefinitely – especially if they have previously experienced significant side effects from medication.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more descriptive adjectives instead of "small" to convey a more nuanced degree of improbability, such as "negligible", "remote", or "slim".

Common error

Avoid using "a small chance for" in situations where the outcome is already predetermined or guaranteed. The phrase implies uncertainty, so it's inappropriate when the result is certain, regardless of how improbable it may seem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small chance for" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, denoting a low probability or possibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "a small chance for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a low probability or possibility of a specific event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, indicating a neutral register. When aiming for precision, alternatives like "slight possibility of" or "minimal likelihood of" can add nuance. Remember to use it in situations involving genuine uncertainty to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight possibility of

Replaces "chance" with "possibility", emphasizing the uncertainty.

a minimal likelihood of

Substitutes "chance" with "likelihood", conveying a formal tone.

a remote prospect of

Uses "prospect" instead of "chance", suggesting something distant or unlikely.

a slim hope of

Employs "hope" to highlight the desirability of the outcome, despite its improbability.

a negligible probability of

Replaces "chance" with "probability", adding a statistical nuance.

a faint glimmer of

Uses metaphorical language to describe a very small indication or sign.

a shadow of an opportunity for

Employs "opportunity" and "shadow" to suggest a weak or insubstantial possibility.

a long shot at

Idiomatic expression indicating a low probability of success.

an outside chance of

Indicates that the chance is very unlikely.

a theoretical possibility of

Suggests possibility is only in theory and most likely will not happen.

FAQs

How can I use "a small chance for" in a sentence?

Use "a small chance for" to indicate that something is unlikely but still possible. For example, "There's "a small chance for" rain this weekend, so pack an umbrella just in case."

What are some alternatives to "a small chance for"?

You can use alternatives like "slight possibility of", "minimal likelihood of", or "remote prospect of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a small chance of" or "a small chance for"?

Both "a small chance of" and "a small chance for" are grammatically correct, but "a small chance of" is generally more common and preferred in modern English. The choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

What does "a small chance for" imply about the situation?

The phrase "a small chance for" suggests that although the probability is low, the possibility still exists, however unlikely. It's not zero, but it's not very promising.