minute chances

USAGE SUMMARY

"minute chances" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small likelihood of something happening or occurring. For example, "He's not likely to succeed due to the minute chances of achieving such a difficult goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Fulham were wasteful and though they finally netted via Tim Ream in the 47th minute, chances continued to go begging before Sylla headed home.

The Guardian - Sport

If you stand on the sidewalk for a minute, chances are good that several 15-foot vans, unmarked vehicles with black-tinted windows, will career down the one-way street.

The New York Times

Leave room for any additions that may pop up at the last minute, chances are there will be several.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Match report: Turkey 0-1 Croatia Match report: Czech Republic 2-2 Croatia Match report: Croatia 2-1 Spain Match report: Croatia 0-0 Portugal (0-1 aet) Xherdan Shaqiri maybe deserved better for that amazing overhead kick and although they started sloppily – what was Johann Djourou planning when he gifted Arkadiusz Milik that first minute chance?

The Guardian - Sport

Midfielder Carney, sent on straight after the break, fluffed a simple 52nd minute chance but two minutes later rounded keeper Sonja Cevnik to slide the ball home.

BBC

England winger Jess Clarke had a 33rd minute chance to celebrate her 24th birthday with a goal but shot straight at Chamberlain.

BBC

Years later, in retrospect, you realize what a minute chance we had to pull that off.

Vice

That changed my wording: "On the small, minute chance I don't make the final table of this event we'll hang out as a family".

Huffington Post

There is a minute chance that that's true, unless you are Edith Piaf, and if you are, I can't wait to see you.

Huffington Post

The minute chance of a split-second side eye glance from another man who may, in his private life, be naked with his boyfriend, is clearly far more stressful.

Huffington Post

This is very reminiscent of the "duck-and-cover" drills of my youth (which would have done nothing to protect us from a nuclear bomb attack), but it is also akin to teaching airline passengers how to react to the minute chance of a plane crash by temporarily cutting off the engines and making a plane dive.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if an alternative phrase such as "slim probability" or "slight possibility" might offer a more nuanced or precise expression of the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "minute chances" when the actual likelihood is demonstrably higher. Overstating the improbability can undermine your credibility and make your argument appear hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minute chances" functions as a noun phrase, describing the low likelihood or probability of something occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. It is commonly deployed to describe a situation where the probability of success is very low.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minute chances" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express a very low probability or likelihood of something happening. While Ludwig AI states that it is correct and usable in written English, it is a relatively rare expression. It is most commonly found in news, wiki and scientific contexts. More formal or statistical terms might be preferred in academic or business settings. When using "minute chances", ensure the context emphasizes improbability, and consider alternative phrases for more nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely any chance

Directly expresses the scarcity of opportunity.

almost no chance

Conveys a near absence of any realistic opportunity.

slim probability

Focuses on the low probability of an event occurring.

slight possibility

Emphasizes the small degree of possibility.

remote chance

Highlights the distance or unlikelihood of the event.

negligible odds

Indicates the odds are so small they can be disregarded.

faint hope

Suggests a weak or uncertain hope.

minimal prospect

Focuses on the limited outlook or expectation.

outside shot

Implies a chance that is unlikely but still possible.

long shot

Similar to "outside shot" but with an even stronger sense of improbability.

FAQs

How can I use "minute chances" in a sentence?

You can use "minute chances" to describe situations where the probability of something happening is very low. For example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, there were still "minute chances" that he could be found innocent."

What are some alternatives to using "minute chances"?

Alternatives include "slim probability", "slight possibility", or "remote chance", all of which convey a similar meaning of a low likelihood.

Is it better to say "minute chance" or "small chance"?

Both "minute chance" and "small chance" are correct, but "minute chance" emphasizes an even smaller degree of probability compared to "small chance".

Can "minute chances" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "minute chances" can be used in formal writing, although it's important to ensure that the tone and context are appropriate. In some cases, a more precise statistical term might be preferable.