remotely possible

USAGE SUMMARY

"remotely possible" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is not likely to be true, but not entirely impossible. For example, "I find it remotely possible that I will win the lottery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not remotely possible.

The Guardian

That is only remotely possible.

The New York Times - Sports

Is that remotely possible?

The New York Times

But only two seem remotely possible.

The New York Times

How is this even remotely possible?

The Guardian

Was it remotely possible that they would, gasp, say hi?

The New York Times

But, for now, nothing like that seems remotely possible.

The New Yorker

Only the most incremental changes, therefore, are even remotely possible.

The Guardian

"I have never met a man remotely possible," she says.

The Guardian - Books

Definitive resolution of this argument appears only remotely possible.

Cornell University

It remains remotely possible, of course, that something will be found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remotely possible" to express a low degree of likelihood, but avoid using it when something is completely impossible. Ensure the context suggests a slight chance, however improbable.

Common error

Avoid using "remotely possible" when the situation is definitively impossible. It should convey a small chance, not a complete lack of possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remotely possible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the degree of possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to express a low, but non-zero, likelihood. The examples show its use in assessing potential outcomes or scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remotely possible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a low degree of likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate to use when describing scenarios that are improbable but not entirely impossible. Primarily found in news and media contexts, as well as academic writing, the phrase serves to express doubt or skepticism while maintaining a level of uncertainty. Alternatives include "barely conceivable" or "slim chance". It's essential to avoid using "remotely possible" in situations that are definitively impossible to maintain accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely conceivable

Emphasizes the difficulty in imagining or believing something.

faintly imaginable

Highlights the slight chance of something being able to be imagined.

just barely feasible

Focuses on the minimal level of feasibility or practicality.

hardly a chance

Indicates a very low probability of something occurring.

slim chance

Implies that the likelihood of something happening is very small.

unlikely but conceivable

Acknowledges the improbability while still allowing for the possibility.

not entirely out of the question

Suggests that something is possible, though not preferred or expected.

barely within the realm of possibility

Highlights the marginal inclusion of something within the scope of what is possible.

slightly within the bounds of reason

Suggests something is just on the edge of what can be considered reasonable.

peripherally within reach

Implies that something is only achievable with great effort or difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "remotely possible" in a sentence?

"Remotely possible" is used to describe something that is not very likely, but not completely impossible. For example, "Is it "remotely possible" that he forgot his keys again?"

What are some alternatives to "remotely possible"?

Alternatives include phrases like "barely conceivable", "slim chance", or "hardly a chance", which all suggest a low probability.

Is it correct to say "it is remotely impossible"?

Saying "it is remotely impossible" is generally redundant. Since "remotely" already suggests a low probability, using "impossible" creates a contradiction. It's better to use "hardly possible" or "not remotely possible" instead.

What's the difference between "remotely possible" and "plausible"?

"Remotely possible" indicates a low likelihood, whereas "plausible" suggests something is believable or could likely be true. Something that is plausible has a higher degree of believability than something that is ""remotely possible"".