a small prospect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small prospect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a limited or minor opportunity or possibility in a given context. Example: "While the project has potential, the funding available presents a small prospect for significant growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is a reasonable principle: even a small prospect of enormous good can swamp the prospect of more probable but much lesser goods.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The All Blacks love winning things to nil like Marlo Stanfield loves corners and there's the small prospect of a record-equalling 17th Test win in a row lying in wait.

The Guardian - Sport

b) He has diminished the already small prospect that the United States will attempt to shift the balance in Syria's war.

The New York Times

Given the continuing climate of austerity in the public services, and the vanishingly small prospect of any bumper wage rise, this may be seen as opportune.

The Guardian

Given the vanishingly small prospects for serious energy legislation on Capitol Hill, the new standards represent his and the country's most promising opportunity to make significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and America's dependence on foreign oil.

The New York Times

With such a small staff, the prospect of finding hidden gems or doing much digitizing seems remote.

The New York Times

Burroughs Wellcome (BW) in 1993 agreed to buy the rights for the acyclovir amino acyl esters for a small lump sum and even smaller prospect on potential royalties, and this was the first successful deal on any of the compounds I have ever (co discovered.

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B

No replacement for Nieves was named, but Cherington said he had a small list of prospects that included at least one person from inside the organization and at least one from outside.

Los Angeles Times

In the center is a small door, called a prospect door, that hides drawers where valuables could be stashed.

The New York Times - Arts

And with a small government majority, the prospect of defeat means ministers have to make deals, as Theresa May did on Wednesday's Labour motion.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a grim prospect: a small priestly caste of seers with access to the ultimate source of knowledge, and the rest of humanity simply tools in their vast schemes.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small prospect" when you want to downplay the likelihood or significance of a particular outcome or opportunity. It's effective in tempering expectations or presenting a balanced view.

Common error

Avoid using "a small prospect" when the situation actually presents a significant or promising opportunity. This can create a mismatch between your words and the reality, potentially misleading the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small prospect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a limited or minor opportunity or possibility. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability in expressing a constrained expectation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small prospect" is a phrase used to denote a limited or unlikely possibility. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, although its prevalence in News & Media highlights its use in cautious or realistic assessments. While alternatives like "a slim chance" or "a faint hope" exist, "a small prospect" offers a neutral tone suitable for formal and informal communication. When writing, ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the actual potential of a situation to avoid misleading the audience. When you use this phrase, consider its communicative purpose: managing expectations or providing realistic assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slim chance

Emphasizes the low probability of something happening.

a faint hope

Highlights the weakness or uncertainty of the hope.

a limited opportunity

Focuses on the restricted nature of the opportunity.

a negligible possibility

Stresses that the possibility is so small it's almost non-existent.

a remote chance

Indicates that the chance is unlikely to occur.

a minimal expectation

Suggests a very low level of anticipation.

a slight possibility

Emphasizes the small degree of possibility.

a reduced likelihood

Focuses on the decreased probability of an event.

a modest potential

Highlights the limited scale of the potential.

a minor consideration

Indicates that something is not a primary concern.

FAQs

How can I use "a small prospect" in a sentence?

You can use "a small prospect" to indicate a limited or unlikely possibility. For example, "There's "a small prospect" that the negotiations will succeed, but we must remain prepared for all outcomes."

What are some alternatives to "a small prospect"?

Alternatives include "a slim chance", "a faint hope", or "a limited opportunity", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "a small prospect" in formal writing?

Yes, "a small prospect" is suitable for formal writing when accurately reflecting a limited or uncertain possibility. Its neutrality makes it appropriate for various professional and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "a small prospect" and "a promising opportunity"?

"A small prospect" suggests a low likelihood of success or significant impact, while "a promising opportunity" indicates a high likelihood of success and substantial benefits. They represent opposite ends of the possibility spectrum.