remote possibility of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remote possibility of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a very small chance of something happening. Example: "There is a remote possibility of rain tomorrow, so you might want to carry an umbrella just in case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three rows separated them, and as the cabin crew went through the safety procedures Ted and Emma seemed to experience every version of possible danger: the turbulence, the sudden loss of oxygen, even the remote possibility of a water landing.

The New Yorker

The remote possibility of miscarriage?

The New York Times

The remote possibility of increased damages for failure to notify will not change that.

The Guardian - Opinion

The remote possibility of reaching Florida's shore on a raft kept our hopes alive.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even the remote possibility of such a development underscores the danger of continued stalemate.

The New York Times

But the two countries are glimpsing the remote possibility of a lasting peace.

The Economist

(A death sentence, the judge observed, should really be called "life in prison with the remote possibility of death").

The New Yorker

The researchers reasoned that the mental anguish provoked by the remote possibility of infection was not worth disclosure.

The New York Times - Magazine

I had a remote possibility of a medal but, in my mind, at 19, I was certain I would win.

The Guardian - Money

The same traveler, seemingly incapable of finding meaningful human connection, futilely scrambles after a remote possibility of romance.

The New York Times - Books

Washington, which consistently opposes killing whales for scientific research, is reviewing the remote possibility of sanctions, even though Iceland is breaking no laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remote possibility of" when you want to acknowledge that something could happen, but it is very unlikely. It helps to introduce caveats or address potential concerns without overstating their importance.

Common error

Avoid using "remote possibility of" to create unnecessary alarm. If the possibility is truly remote, consider whether it needs mentioning at all, or if there's a more reassuring way to phrase it. Overusing it can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remote possibility of" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun (often an event or outcome) to indicate its low likelihood. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. The phrase highlights a possibility, but emphasizes its unlikelihood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remote possibility of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe something that could happen but is very unlikely. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage. Its function is to qualify a noun, downplaying its probability while still acknowledging it. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. Alternatives include phrases like "slight chance of" or "slim chance of". When using this phrase, be mindful of not overstating the risk and undermining your own credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight chance of

Replaces "possibility" with "chance" and "remote" with "slight", indicating a low probability.

slim chance of

Similar to "slight chance of", but emphasizes the unlikelihood even more.

low probability of

Uses the more formal term "probability" instead of "possibility".

minimal likelihood of

Uses "likelihood" to express the possibility and "minimal" to indicate the small extent.

unlikely prospect of

Replaces "possibility" with "prospect" and uses "unlikely" to denote low chance.

theoretical possibility of

Suggests the possibility exists only in theory, with little practical chance.

mere chance of

Emphasizes that the chance is minimal or barely existent.

outside chance of

Suggests the chance is not within the realm of reasonable expectation.

faint hope of

Shifts the focus to hope, but acknowledges the minimal chance of it being realized.

negligible risk of

Focuses on the risk aspect, highlighting that it is almost nonexistent.

FAQs

How can I use "remote possibility of" in a sentence?

The phrase "remote possibility of" indicates a low likelihood of something happening. For example: "There is a remote possibility of rain tomorrow, so you might want to carry an umbrella."

What are some alternatives to "remote possibility of"?

You can use alternatives like "slight chance of", "slim chance of", or "unlikely prospect of" depending on the context.

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "remote possibility of" suggests an even lower probability than "small chance of". The choice depends on the degree of unlikelihood you want to convey.

What is the difference between "remote possibility of" and "realistic possibility of"?

"Remote possibility of" implies something is unlikely, whereas "realistic possibility of" implies something is reasonably likely. They are near opposites. Be sure to use the correct phrasing depending on the true situation.