chances are slim

USAGE SUMMARY

"chances are slim" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is unlikely to happen or be successful. For example, "He has been looking for a job for months, but chances are slim that he will find one soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But those chances are slim.

The New York Times - Sports

But the chances are slim.

The New York Times - Sports

"Our chances are slim," Manuel said.

The New York Times - Sports

The chances are slim -- for now.

The New York Times

But she knows her chances are slim.

The Guardian

Chances are slim, but I am keeping fingers crossed.

Columbia University

The chances are slim, as the Midlanders themselves confessed.

Independent

If it doesn't, Baltimore's chances are slim but not nil.

The New York Times

Even at full strength, the Lions' chances are slim.

The New York Times

Yet the opposition know its chances are slim.

The Guardian

"I'd say his chances are slim," Reeves said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chances are slim", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject of the slim chances is. For example, "Chances are slim that the bill will pass this year."

Common error

Avoid using "chances are slim" without a clear reference. For instance, instead of saying "chances are slim", specify "chances of winning are slim" or "chances of success are slim" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chances are slim" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a low probability or likelihood of a particular event or outcome. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "chances are slim" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiom to express low probability. According to Ludwig, its applications span from news reporting to academic discussions, showing its versatility across registers, although is more commonly used in the news and media environment. When using the phrase, ensure that the subject of the slim chances is clearly identified. Alternatives such as "the odds are low" or "it's not very likely" can provide stylistic variations. Ludwig confirms the phrase's validity and provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the odds are low

Emphasizes the unfavorable probabilities, replacing "chances" with "odds" and "slim" with "low".

it's not very likely

Uses a more direct construction to express improbability, focusing on likelihood.

it's improbable

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective that means unlikely.

there's little probability

Substitutes "chances" with "probability" and uses "little" to indicate a small amount.

it's a long shot

Employs an idiomatic expression to convey a low chance of success.

success is unlikely

Directly states that success is not probable, shifting the focus to the outcome.

a positive outcome is doubtful

Focuses on the doubtfulness of a positive result, changing the sentence structure.

the outlook is bleak

Uses "outlook" to refer to the future prospects and describes them as "bleak", indicating poor chances.

it's a remote possibility

Replaces "chances" with "possibility" and uses "remote" to suggest a low probability.

there's scant hope

Replaces "chances" with "hope" and uses "scant" to indicate a small amount, implying low likelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "chances are slim" in a sentence?

Use "chances are slim" to express a low probability of something happening. For example, "Chances are slim that he will arrive on time given the traffic conditions."

What phrases can I use instead of "chances are slim"?

You can use phrases like "the odds are low", "it's not very likely", or "it's improbable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "chance is slim" instead of "chances are slim"?

While "chance is slim" can be understood, "chances are slim" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Chances" implies a general assessment of possibilities, making it more suitable.

What's the difference between "chances are slim" and "remote possibility"?

"Chances are slim" is a phrase used to express a general assessment of low probability. "Remote possibility" emphasizes that something is possible, but unlikely, and it is used when you want to acknowledge that something can happen but you don't expect it to.