faint possibility of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "faint possibility of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a very low likelihood or chance of something occurring. Example: "There is a faint possibility of rain tomorrow, but the forecast looks mostly clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But he said there remained a very faint possibility of the scripted process going awry.

The Guardian

West led the spade king, allowing for the faint possibility of a singleton queen in the dummy.

The New York Times - Arts

The logic of enlargement is that it could even include the faint possibility of membership of the EU itself (if the union were to admit non-Europeans).

The Economist

For his part, Mr Laws was so immediately at ease with the Conservatives that he scuppered the faint possibility of an alternative pact with Labour by making embrace of Tory-type cuts a precondition.

The Guardian - Opinion

While we're at it, we can pause to reflect on Nichols's world, and her delight in receiving a note from the great man, unless a corner of her mind registered the faint possibility of sarcasm ("believe me").

The Guardian - Books

"He came from a traditional family where acting was considered taboo," she says, "so even the faint possibility of me becoming an actress was shot down before it had taken wings".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

There isn't the faintest possibility of the All Blacks taking a relaxed approach to these Tests.

Independent

Two draws in a row had suggested the faintest possibility of some last-minute bottling but Dortmund were back in the groove against St Pauli.

The Guardian - Sport

It is not under-hung, but there is certainly enough white wall around the 20 or so works, pretty much one per artist, to give you enough space to contemplate them without the faintest possibility of distraction.

The New York Times

The loss was the eighth time the Nets (29-40) have lost a game they led by more than 10 points, and it left them with only the faintest possibility of qualifying for the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

There are two, and only two, faint possibilities to slow down the hard-right takeover of the High Court.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "faint possibility of", ensure the context clearly conveys the low likelihood. Avoid exaggerating the chance or misleading the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "faint possibility of" when there is significant evidence suggesting a higher probability. This can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faint possibility of" functions as a qualifier, specifically indicating a low degree of probability or likelihood. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, and its function is to diminish the expectation of a particular event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "faint possibility of" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to denote a very low likelihood of an event occurring. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to manage expectations and provide a balanced view when certainty is lacking. Alternatives include "slim chance of" or "slight chance of", each nuanced in its emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure you're accurately representing the degree of likelihood to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight chance of

Indicates a small degree of probability.

minimal possibility of

Stresses how little possibility exists.

slim chance of

Emphasizes the smallness of the chance, often implying it's barely there.

bare possibility of

Suggests the possibility exists but is minimal and almost nonexistent.

remote chance of

Highlights that the chance is unlikely and far-fetched.

mere chance of

Emphasizes the insignificance of the possibility.

outside chance of

Suggests the possibility exists on the periphery.

tenuous possibility of

Highlights the weakness and fragility of the possibility.

negligible chance of

Highlights the unimportance of the possibility due to its unlikelihood.

unlikely prospect of

Focuses on the unfavorable odds of something happening.

FAQs

How can I use "faint possibility of" in a sentence?

Use "faint possibility of" to express a very small chance or likelihood that something might happen. For instance, "There is a faint possibility of rain tomorrow".

What's a good alternative to "faint possibility of"?

Alternatives include "slim chance of", "slight chance of", or "remote chance of", all conveying a low probability.

Is it appropriate to use "faint possibility of" in formal writing?

Yes, "faint possibility of" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, ensure the level of formality aligns with your overall tone.

How does "faint possibility of" differ from "strong possibility of"?

"Faint possibility of" indicates a very low likelihood, whereas "strong possibility of" implies a high likelihood. The terms are antonyms, representing opposite ends of the probability spectrum.