an outside chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an outside chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where there is a small possibility of something happening. Example: "There is an outside chance that we might win the lottery, but we shouldn't rely on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he does have an outside chance.

The Economist

It was an outside chance.

The Guardian - Books

"We still got an outside chance.

The New York Times - Sports

"James McCarthy was always an outside chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Two records, there's an outside chance.

The Guardian - Sport

It remains very much an outside chance.

The Guardian - Sport

"England have an outside chance at best," he says.

Independent

Still got an outside chance, let's put it that way".

The New York Times - Sports

7.30pm BST Britain's Fran Halsall has an outside chance here.

The Guardian - Sport

"We thought there was an outside chance," Mr. Almquist said.

The New York Times

Admittedly, Mr. Burnett said, "that's probably an outside chance".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an outside chance" when you want to acknowledge a possibility, however unlikely, rather than dismissing it entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "an outside chance" when the probability is demonstrably zero. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an outside chance" functions as a noun phrase, acting as an object or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a situation where there is a small possibility of something happening.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an outside chance" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a small possibility of something happening. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news and media, particularly in sports contexts. While suitable for most writing, more formal alternatives like "a slim chance" or "a remote possibility" may be preferred in academic or scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that there is at least a theoretical possibility of the event occurring to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slim chance

Indicates an even smaller possibility than "an outside chance".

a remote possibility

Suggests the event is unlikely to happen.

a faint hope

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of desiring a positive outcome despite low odds.

a long shot

Implies the attempt has a low probability of success, often in competitive scenarios.

a slight prospect

Highlights the potential for something to occur, although the likelihood is low.

a prayer's chance

Suggests a reliance on luck or divine intervention for success.

a snowball's chance in hell

An idiom indicating virtually no chance of success.

a negligible possibility

Highlights the insignificance of the chance.

a one in a million chance

Emphasizes the rarity and improbability of the event.

a wild card

Suggests an unpredictable element that could lead to an unexpected success.

FAQs

How can I use "an outside chance" in a sentence?

You can use "an outside chance" to express that something is unlikely but still possible. For example, "Despite the team's poor performance, they still have "an outside chance" of making the playoffs".

What are some alternatives to "an outside chance"?

Some alternatives to "an outside chance" include "a slim chance", "a remote possibility", or "a long shot". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "an outside chance" in formal writing?

Yes, "an outside chance" is appropriate in formal writing when used to accurately convey a low probability. However, consider alternatives like "a slim chance" or "a remote possibility" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "an outside chance" and "a good chance"?

"An outside chance" indicates a low probability of success, while "a good chance" suggests a high probability. They are near antonyms.