almost no chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost no chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a very low probability of something happening. Example: "Given the current circumstances, there is almost no chance that the event will take place as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, there was almost no chance.

The Guardian

The worshipers had almost no chance.

The New York Times

For now, the Marlins have almost no chance to win.

The New York Times - Sports

There is almost no chance my dad would have Ebola.

Independent

The plan has almost no chance of being adopted.

The Guardian

They had almost no chance of a job after college.

The Guardian

The slow, banged-up Falcons have almost no chance.

The New York Times - Sports

In contrast, an individual has almost no chance of beating the market.

Yale University

In the end, though, the truth is: Mr. Cahill has almost no chance of winning.

The New York Times

But then they stand almost no chance of getting one anyway.

The Economist

We all knew that when they're playing the best tennis, we have almost no chance.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost no chance" when you want to emphasize the improbability of an event without completely ruling it out. It's stronger than "unlikely" but softer than "impossible".

Common error

Avoid using "almost no chance" when the situation is definitively impossible. Using stronger, more absolute terms will provide clarity and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost no chance" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the degree of probability of an event. As shown by Ludwig, it expresses a very low likelihood, nearing impossibility, but without completely negating the possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sports

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost no chance" is a versatile expression used to convey a very low probability of something happening. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the likelihood of an event and is appropriate for various registers, although it is most commonly found in news and media. While expressing a high degree of improbability, it avoids absolute statements of impossibility, leaving a small window of possibility open. Remember, while "almost no chance" effectively communicates low probability, ensure the context truly reflects this uncertainty, opting for stronger terms when impossibility is definitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Indicates a situation that is so unlikely as to be considered impossible.

slim chance

Implies a very small possibility, but still acknowledging that it exists.

remote possibility

Suggests that the chance is distant and not very likely.

little to no likelihood

More formal way of saying that something is not probable.

next to impossible

Highlights the extreme difficulty and improbability of something.

scarcely any prospect

Emphasizes the lack of positive outlook or anticipation.

hardly any opportunity

Focuses on the limited or nonexistent possibility for something to occur.

not a snowball's chance in hell

An idiom that dramatically conveys the impossibility of success.

outside chance

Indicates a possibility that is so small it is barely worth considering.

barely a glimmer of hope

Highlights the minimal amount of optimism or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "almost no chance" in a sentence?

You can use "almost no chance" to describe a situation with a very low probability of occurring. For example, "There is "almost no chance" of rain today".

What are some alternatives to saying "almost no chance"?

Alternatives include "slim chance", "remote possibility", or "virtually impossible", depending on the degree of improbability you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "there is almost no chance" or "there is hardly a chance"?

"There is "almost no chance"" and "there is "hardly a chance"" are both grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context.

Can "almost no chance" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "almost no chance" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It is a clear and widely understood expression.