a smaller possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smaller possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood or chance of an event occurring, particularly in comparison to other possibilities. Example: "Given the current circumstances, there is a smaller possibility of success than we initially anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As we know, a smaller possibility degree means a lower reliability of the interval constraint.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

In this way, a better optimal solution can be obtained with a smaller possibility degree of the constraint, However, a smaller possibility degree implies a smaller reliability of the uncertain constraint.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Robinson speculates that there is a "solid possibility of finding fossil traces of life and a smaller possibility of finding existing life, under the surface" of Mars.

BBC

It simply uses one branch which has a smaller possibility to fall below a predetermined threshold (as it hops to the other).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Maybe it's a small chance, a small possibility.

The New York Times

That worst-case scenario, as industry officials refer to it, is a small possibility.

The New York Times

"There is a small possibility that something still survived," Fatima's father said.

Independent

But he reckons that there is a small possibility his team has discovered something important.

The Economist

No one has been dropped and there is only a small possibility of any change to the final XI.

The Guardian - Sport

"Why would they put everything on the line for such a small possibility that they would get away with this?

The New York Times - Sports

Still, patients will need to be monitored for liver cancer, a small possibility that has been observed in mice.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a smaller possibility", ensure you're comparing it to another, larger possibility to provide context and demonstrate the relative likelihood.

Common error

Avoid using "a smaller possibility" when there is no clear larger possibility for comparison. Ensure there's a reference point to justify the use of 'smaller'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smaller possibility" functions as a noun phrase that describes the degree of likelihood or chance of an event occurring. It typically modifies a statement or claim, indicating a lower probability compared to an alternative. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a smaller possibility" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a reduced likelihood of an event, especially in comparison to another possibility. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news and scientific domains. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear comparison exists to highlight the diminished likelihood accurately. Remember to check the related phrases such as "a reduced chance" or "a lower likelihood".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reduced chance

Replaces "possibility" with "chance" and "smaller" with "reduced", focusing on the likelihood of something occurring.

a lower likelihood

Substitutes "possibility" with "likelihood" and "smaller" with "lower", emphasizing the probability aspect.

a decreased probability

Substitutes "possibility" with "probability" and "smaller" with "decreased", highlighting the statistical aspect.

a reduced probability

Replaces possibility with "probability" and smaller with "reduced", focusing on diminishing the odds of a situation.

a slim chance

Employs "slim" instead of "smaller" to denote a very small probability.

a faint possibility

Uses "faint" to convey a weak or remote chance of something happening.

a negligible possibility

Replaces "smaller" with "negligible" to suggest that the possibility is so small it can be disregarded.

a minimal prospect

Substitutes "possibility" with "prospect" and "smaller" with "minimal", focusing on the outlook or potential.

a limited opportunity

Replaces "possibility" with "opportunity" and "smaller" with "limited", implying a restricted chance for something to occur.

a rare eventuality

Uses "rare eventuality" instead of "smaller possibility", emphasizing the uncommon nature of the potential outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "a smaller possibility" to indicate a reduced likelihood of something occurring compared to something else. For example, "There's "a smaller possibility" of rain today than yesterday."

What are some alternatives to "a smaller possibility"?

You can use alternatives like "a reduced chance", "a lower likelihood", or "a slim chance" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a smaller possibility" or "a lower possibility"?

Both "a smaller possibility" and "a lower possibility" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Smaller" emphasizes the relative size of the possibility, while "lower" emphasizes a reduction in probability.

What's the difference between "a small possibility" and "a smaller possibility"?

"A small possibility" indicates a general low likelihood. "A smaller possibility" suggests a comparison to another possibility, implying it's less likely than something else.