minimal chance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal chance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the likelihood of something occurring is very low. Example: "There is a minimal chance of rain tomorrow, so we can go ahead with the outdoor event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The forecast Monday called for a minimal chance of rain.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a cause with minimal chance of success, but one hotly promoted by much of the political establishment.

The Economist

I argue that Senator Clinton has only a minimal chance of winning the nomination — but a fair chance of creating such discord in the Democratic Party that John McCain can claim the White House.

The New York Times

You know they're going to like it (because the original album is on their CD rack), you know they haven't already got it (because if they did you would have tripped over the massive box at some point), and, best of all, you know that they know it cost an arm and a leg – so there's minimal chance of your generosity going unnoticed".

The Guardian

But he believes there is a minimal chance of significant progress on immigration reform under Mr Bush.There is a broad political consensus that Mexico should push for a guest-worker programme and the regularisation of undocumented migrants in return for beefing up security on its side of the border.

The Economist

Lipid probes can be metabolically incorporated into cell membranes, allowing observation of membrane fusion in vitro with minimal chance of flip flop, non-specific transfer and formation of microcrystals.

Chemistry and Physics of Lipids

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

(The other two nominees, "Noises Off" and "Morning's at Seven," were both given high praise but minimal chances of winning).

The New York Times

But this means that there are minimal chances of evolution producing something that works as well and efficiently as an organism, with all of the functioning parts in place.

SEP

Dr. Vic Narurkar echoed my own experience with the Fraxel re:store laser in a study where he showed that this laser can be safely used for all skin types without scarring and with minimal chances of transient skin darkening.

Huffington Post

While the princelings use their "royal" connections, a significant amount of China's population is trapped in rural poverty or toilsome factory labor with minimal chances of social mobility.

Huffington Post

Therefore, there were only six different possibilities per set, with minimal chances of over-fitting.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minimal chance of", ensure it accurately reflects the degree of improbability you intend to convey. Quantify the likelihood if possible, for instance, "a minimal chance (less than 1%) of complications".

Common error

Avoid using "minimal chance of" when there's a complete absence of possibility. Instead, opt for phrases like "no chance of" or "impossible" to more accurately represent the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal chance of" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, describing the low probability or possibility of an event or outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimal chance of" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe a very low probability or possibility of something happening. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. While alternatives like "slight possibility of" or "low probability of" exist, "minimal chance of" offers a nuanced way to express improbability without suggesting complete impossibility. Its usage spans across various contexts, from scientific publications to news articles, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary. However, it's important to avoid overstating certainty and use more definitive terms when something is entirely impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight possibility of

Replaces "chance" with "possibility" and "minimal" with "slight", suggesting a small likelihood.

low probability of

Substitutes "chance" with the more formal "probability" and "minimal" with "low", indicating a reduced likelihood.

remote possibility of

Uses "remote" to emphasize the unlikelihood, implying a distant chance.

small likelihood of

Employs "likelihood" instead of "chance", still denoting a reduced probability.

negligible risk of

Focuses on the risk aspect, stating it's so small it can be ignored.

scant prospect of

Replaces chance with prospect to highlight the lack of positive expectation.

slim hope of

Indicates there is little to no hope of something happening.

inconceivable possibility of

Emphasizes the unlikelihood to almost impossible to imagine.

next to no chance of

An informal expression for emphasizing the absence of chance.

rare likelihood of

States something is unlikely to happen, but is possible.

FAQs

How can I use "minimal chance of" in a sentence?

Use "minimal chance of" to indicate a very low probability of something occurring. For example, "There is a minimal chance of rain tonight" or "There's a minimal chance of errors with this new system".

What are some alternatives to "minimal chance of"?

You can use alternatives like "slight possibility of", "low probability of", or "remote possibility of depending on the context".

Is it better to say "minimal chance of" or "small chance of"?

Both "minimal chance of" and "small chance of" are correct, but "minimal chance of" suggests an even lower probability than "small chance of". The best choice depends on the precise shade of meaning you want to convey.

What is the difference between "minimal chance of" and "no chance of"?

"Minimal chance of" means there is still a slight possibility, however unlikely. "No chance of" indicates that something is impossible. For example, there's a "minimal chance of" winning the lottery, but there's "no chance of" traveling faster than the speed of light.