a small probability of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small probability of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood or chance of an event occurring, particularly in statistical or scientific contexts. Example: "There is a small probability of rain tomorrow, so you might want to carry an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have a small probability of massive losses, right?

Yale University

Second, VaR does not capture catastrophic losses that have a small probability of occurring.

Harvard Business Review

But if the lottery ticket said, well you have a small probability of being a millionaire, but you also have a small probability of going bankrupt, we're going to come after you and take everything.

Yale University

And nobody knows whether it really has a small probability of massive losses, and you could systematically invest in that.

Yale University

The "stochastic" part is because there is also a small probability of random star formation in all areas in the disk which keeps things going.

Cornell University

Today's climate models also suggest a small probability of exceeding four degrees of warming, and research has suggested that anything beyond 12 degrees would render most of the planet uninhabitable for humanity.

The Guardian

Was it rational to accept a small probability of an almost immediate death to reduce greatly a large probability of death by smallpox in the indefinite future?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pascal's idea was that even a small probability of bringing about an enormous good (without risking unacceptable evil) was good reason for acting.

The New York Times

The procedures are designed so that the tests have a small probability of a false alarm (as m→∞) and asymptotic power one.

Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference

If you give someone a bonus without clawback provisions, he or she will have an incentive to hide risk by engaging in transactions that have a high probability of generating small profits and a small probability of blowups.

Harvard Business Review

Markets might be undermined by what Nassim Taleb, an author, has described as a "black swan"—an event with a small probability of happening, but a big impact if it does.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks or outcomes, use "a small probability of" to accurately convey that an event is unlikely but still possible. This adds nuance to your writing and avoids absolute statements.

Common error

Avoid using "a small probability of" when the event is virtually impossible. Reserve this phrase for situations where there is a realistic, albeit low, chance of occurrence. Otherwise, readers may perceive it as an exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small probability of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a low degree of likelihood. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing this phrase is suitable in different scientific and business documents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

28%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small probability of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a low degree of likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across varied domains, particularly within scientific, news, and academic spheres. While alternatives like "a slight chance of" or "a minimal risk of" exist, "a small probability of" maintains a formal tone suitable for precise and objective communication. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, reserving it for events with a genuine, albeit low, chance of occurring to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight chance of

Changes "probability" to "chance" and "small" to "slight", indicating a minor alteration in wording.

a low likelihood of

Substitutes "probability" with "likelihood" and "small" with "low", offering a different but synonymous construction.

a minimal risk of

Replaces "probability" with "risk" and "small" with "minimal", focusing on the potential for an undesirable outcome.

a negligible possibility of

Uses "possibility" instead of "probability" and "negligible" instead of "small", emphasizing the unimportance of the chance.

a remote chance of

Employs "chance" rather than "probability" and "remote" instead of "small", suggesting a distant or unlikely event.

a slim chance of

Utilizes "chance" instead of "probability" and "slim" instead of "small", conveying a reduced expectation of occurrence.

a reduced likelihood of

Replaces "probability" with "likelihood" and uses "reduced" for "small", highlighting a decrease in the chance of something happening.

a faint hope of

Substitutes "probability" with "hope" and "small" with "faint", focusing on a desired but unlikely outcome.

a limited prospect of

Changes "probability" to "prospect" and "small" to "limited", indicating restricted potential or outlook.

a tiny fraction of

Shifts from probability to the concept of a very small portion, implying rarity rather than likelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "a small probability of" in a sentence?

You can use "a small probability of" to describe an event that is unlikely but still possible. For example: "There is "a small probability of" rain tomorrow."

What's the difference between ""a small probability of"" and "a low likelihood of"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but ""a small probability of"" might be slightly more formal and statistically oriented, while "a low likelihood of" is more general.

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

You can use alternatives like "a slight chance of", "a minimal risk of", or "a remote possibility of" depending on the context.

Is it accurate to use ""a small probability of"" when describing highly improbable events?

While technically correct, using ""a small probability of"" for nearly impossible events can be misleading. It's better suited for events with some, albeit low, realistic chance of occurring.