slight chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"slight chance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a very small probability that something will happen. For example: "There is a slight chance of rain tomorrow, so make sure you bring an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Slight chance of rain.

The New York Times

There was a slight chance of maybe a shower.

The New York Times - Sports

(There's a slight chance of thunderstorms on Saturday).

The New York Times

Very clever, with a slight chance of learning physics.

The New Yorker

Only a slight chance of thundershowers was in the forecast.

The New York Times - Sports

The Americans thought they had a slight chance to win.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, there was slight chance of a private equity firm bidding against K.K.R. and its partners.

The New York Times

"There's a slight chance he got lost, but that's really hard to believe," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was romantic and autumnal, with a slight chance of sunburn.

The New Yorker

Davenport has a slight chance to overtake No. 1 at the end of the Open.

The New York Times - Sports

He agreed to leave England, on the slight chance that Italian air would cure him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slight chance", ensure the context clearly indicates that the probability is low but not impossible. This helps manage expectations appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "slight chance" when there is virtually no possibility of an event occurring. This can mislead the audience and undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight chance" functions as a noun phrase or adjectival phrase, modifying another noun to indicate a low probability or possibility of an event occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English, with plentiful real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

23%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight chance" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a low probability of an event. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While it is suitable for both formal and informal communication, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning of a small, but non-zero, possibility. Remember to consider alternatives like "slim chance" or "remote possibility" for nuanced expressions, but avoid overstating likelihoods to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Marginal chance

Emphasizes the smallness and unlikelihood of the possibility.

Slim chance

Highlights the thin or narrow margin of possibility.

Remote possibility

Indicates the distant and unlikely nature of the chance.

Faint hope

Shifts focus to the optimism, however weak, associated with the possibility.

Minimal prospect

Stresses the very low expectation of something happening.

Insignificant probability

Underscores the negligible mathematical likelihood.

Outside chance

Suggests the possibility exists but is not favored.

Theoretical possibility

Implies the chance is more conceptual than practical.

Barely possible

Focuses on how difficult it is for the thing to occur.

Unlikely event

Highlights the improbable nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

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

Use "slight chance" to indicate a small possibility of something happening. For example, "There is a "slight chance" of rain today" suggests rain is unlikely, but possible.

What are some alternatives to saying "slight chance"?

You can use alternatives like "slim chance", "remote possibility", or "marginal chance" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "slight chance" in formal writing?

Yes, "slight chance" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and professionally communicates a low probability. However, in some contexts, alternatives like "minimal prospect" might be preferred for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "slight chance" and "no chance"?

"Slight chance" indicates a small possibility exists, while "no chance" means something is impossible. Using "slight chance" suggests there's a small hope or risk, while "no chance" completely eliminates that possibility.