remote chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"remote chance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about the chances of something happening that is unlikely. For example: "Given the circumstances, there is only a remote chance that I can find the time to go to the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No other contender to lead the Fed stands even a remote chance of being confirmed.

The New York Times

Seems like ancient history, with a remote chance of repeating soon.

The New York Times - Sports

Singh (five under) and Love (four under) have only a remote chance to win Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think there is still a remote chance," he added, but "obviously something is going on.

The New York Times

From a legal perspective, experts say, the lawsuit has a remote chance of success.

The Guardian

Tim Jerome has moments of whimsical charm as Sara's remote chance for sustained romance.

The New York Times

There was never a remote chance of Marshall's suggestion being taken seriously, he added.

The Guardian

There is only a remote chance that the two teams would meet in a later round.

The New York Times - Sports

There is a chance, albeit a remote chance, that Macao may succeed.

The New York Times - Travel

There's even the remote chance that taking such a gamble would bring Republicans to the table.

The Washington Post

"He knows that if he doesn't fix New York State, he won't have even a remote chance of being president.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remote chance" to acknowledge a possibility, however unlikely, especially when you want to avoid sounding overly pessimistic or dismissive. It suggests there's a slim hope without setting high expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "remote chance" when you mean there is absolutely no possibility. "Remote chance" implies a very slight possibility, while "no chance" indicates impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remote chance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where the probability of a particular outcome is very low. Ludwig AI shows examples of how it’s used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remote chance" is a noun phrase used to describe a very unlikely possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "slim chance" or "slight possibility" exist, "remote chance" effectively conveys a cautious and realistic tone by acknowledging a possibility while emphasizing its improbability. Remember to differentiate "remote chance" from "no chance", as the former still implies a degree of possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight possibility

Emphasizes the limited likelihood of something occurring.

slim chance

Highlights the minimal probability of an event.

slightest chance

Underscores how minuscule the probability is.

outside chance

Implies an unlikely but still existing possibility.

small likelihood

Focuses on the reduced probability of something happening.

negligible probability

Highlights the almost non-existent likelihood.

faint hope

Conveys a very minimal level of optimism or expectation.

theoretical possibility

Indicates a chance that exists more in concept than in reality.

minimal prospect

Suggests a limited expectation of success or occurrence.

unlikely eventuality

Implies that the occurrence is improbable.

FAQs

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

Use "remote chance" to indicate a slight possibility that something might happen. For example, "There's a "remote chance" of rain tomorrow, so bring an umbrella just in case."

What's a good alternative to "remote chance"?

Alternatives include "slim chance", "slight possibility", or "outside chance", depending on the context.

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

Both "remote chance" and "small chance" convey a low probability. "Remote chance" often suggests a more distant or unlikely possibility than "small chance".

What's the difference between "remote chance" and "remote possibility"?

While similar, "remote chance" emphasizes the unlikelihood of something happening, while "remote possibility" simply acknowledges that something could conceivably occur, however unlikely.