minor chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"minor chance" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to describe a slim possibility that something will happen, for example: "There's only a minor chance we can finish this project by next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Young engineers, for instance, have only a minor chance to take part in technological development.

The New Yorker

Yuudai has eyes for Ami, a twenty-year-old university student with a major in economics and a minor chance of achieving success as a professional model.

The New Yorker

"If I get elected to the senate," says Jim, "and there's only a minor chance, but I'll tell you what.

Vice

However there is probably some minor chance that a self-improving AI will figure out how to wrest that control from us... at some time in the future.

Huffington Post

And the wild shooter who makes fans stand in anticipation every time he throws up a shot, even if there's only a minor chance an off-balance, highly contested three-point attempt falls true?

Los Angeles Times

These reports come from outside sources, so a minor chance of error in data collection exists.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This GFI score indicates persons with only a minor elevated chance of loss of functionality and heightened disability [ 13]. – Community dwelling or assisted living conditions.

BMC Public Health

President Obama took this extraordinary step in the face of a Republican Congress that has refused to do anything on immigration, including passing the DREAM Act, which would give undocumented students who came to the United States as minors the chance to obtain permanent U.S. residency if they go to college or serve in the military, and to eventually apply for citizenship if they desire.

Huffington Post

Therefore, although tumours with strong leptin protein expression are unlikely to respond to and hence benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy, some clinicians might believe that even a low probability of a minor response (12% chance of moderate – Mandard TRG3 – response in leptin high protein expression in our series) would justify the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

British Journal of Cancer

The loss is a major blow to Cronulla's minor-premiership chances, while for the Raiders, the win lifts them back over Canterbury into third spot with just four regular-season games remaining.

The Guardian - Sport

From a healthy person's perspective, a low probability generally means a minor or no chance of having/passing on a certain disease.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone when using "minor chance". It can sound dismissive, so use it cautiously when discussing sensitive topics.

Common error

Avoid using "minor chance" when the probability is actually zero or nonexistent. A "minor chance" implies there is at least some possibility, however small, of the event occurring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor chance" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "minor" modifies the noun "chance". It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, indicating a low probability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, providing many examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor chance" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe a slim possibility. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct expression, supported by examples from news, science, and other domains. While "minor chance" isn't as common as other phrases, such as ""slim possibility"", it remains a valuable part of the English lexicon. When using the term, be mindful of the context and the intended tone. It can easily be misused if the intent is to imply no chance at all or if the situation does not warrant sounding dismissive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim possibility

Replaces "minor chance" with synonyms to denote a small possibility.

slight possibility

Similar to "slim possibility", emphasizing the small degree of chance.

remote possibility

Implies that the chance is not only small but also unlikely.

small likelihood

Uses "likelihood" instead of "chance", keeping the meaning similar.

negligible probability

Indicates that the probability is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a shadow of a chance

An idiomatic expression meaning a very small chance.

minimal prospect

Emphasizes the lack of a positive outlook or expectation.

limited opportunity

Shifts the focus from chance to opportunity, implying scarcity.

reduced odds

Uses the term "odds" to convey the concept of probability being low.

a faint hope

Replaces the factual "chance" with the more emotional "hope", conveying a weak expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "minor chance" in a sentence?

You can use "minor chance" to indicate a small possibility of something happening, such as, "There's only a minor chance that the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to saying "minor chance"?

Alternatives include phrases like "slim possibility", "slight possibility", or "remote possibility".

Is it correct to say "small chance" instead of "minor chance"?

Yes, "small chance" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning of a low probability.

What is the difference between "minor chance" and "major chance"?

"Minor chance" indicates a very low probability, while "major chance" would imply a high probability or strong likelihood.