outside chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"outside chance" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to describe a slim possibility of something happening. For example, "I'm not sure I'll be able to make it, but there's an outside chance I could be there if I finish earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Outside chance?

The Guardian - Sport

But he does have an outside chance.

The Economist

It was an outside chance.

The Guardian - Books

"We still got an outside chance.

The New York Times - Sports

"James McCarthy was always an outside chance.

The Guardian - Sport

It remains very much an outside chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Two records, there's an outside chance.

The Guardian - Sport

"England have an outside chance at best," he says.

Independent

Still got an outside chance, let's put it that way".

The New York Times - Sports

There's always the outside chance Bill Clinton might get interested.

The New York Times

The outside chance of war with Iran as well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outside chance" when you want to acknowledge a possibility, however unlikely, to manage expectations realistically.

Common error

Avoid using "outside chance" to create false hope. Ensure the context reflects a genuine, albeit small, possibility rather than pure wishful thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside chance" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object. It signifies a small or remote possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outside chance" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a slim or remote possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media reporting. While it's important to acknowledge the low probability associated with this phrase, it serves as a valuable tool for managing expectations and assessing potential outcomes. Alternatives like "slim chance" or "remote possibility" can be used for slight variations in emphasis. Be mindful not to overstate the likelihood when using this phrase and ensure the context aligns with a genuine, albeit small, possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim chance

Replaces "outside" with "slim", emphasizing the smallness of the probability.

remote possibility

Substitutes "chance" with "possibility" and "outside" with "remote", conveying a sense of distance or unlikelihood.

slight possibility

Uses "slight" instead of "outside" to highlight the minimal degree of possibility.

faint hope

Replaces "chance" with "hope" and "outside" with "faint", indicating a weak or diminished expectation.

small likelihood

Uses "likelihood" instead of "chance" and "small" instead of "outside", focusing on the reduced probability.

minimal prospect

Substitutes "chance" with "prospect" and "outside" with "minimal", conveying a very low expectation.

negligible probability

Emphasizes the near absence of probability by using "negligible" instead of "outside".

improbable eventuality

Replaces "chance" with "eventuality" and emphasizes the unlikelihood with "improbable".

long shot

A more informal expression that describes something with a very low chance of success.

barely a possibility

Focuses on the limited nature of the possibility by using "barely" to modify the noun.

FAQs

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

You can use "outside chance" to describe a situation where there is a small possibility of something happening. For example: "There's an outside chance we could win the contract, but it's unlikely."

What does "outside chance" mean?

"Outside chance" means a very small or remote possibility; it suggests that something is unlikely to happen but is not entirely impossible.

What are some alternatives to saying "outside chance"?

You can use alternatives like "slim chance", "remote possibility", or "slight possibility" depending on the context.

Is "outside chance" a formal or informal expression?

"Outside chance" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might prefer "remote possibility".