slight likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a minimal chance or probability of something occurring. Example: "There is a slight likelihood of rain tomorrow, so you might want to bring an umbrella just in case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Polls have been tight or have shown, on occasion, a slight likelihood that Britain could leave the EU.

Los Angeles Times

There is a slight likelihood that increased attention to the diagnosis for this form of cancer in the vicinity of the plant could have introduced a small bias in the risk estimate.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There was never the slightest likelihood of Rangers sustaining damage of any kind in this penultimate match of a gruelling season.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't think there's the slightest likelihood that Colin Powell would want to become president of the World Bank after putting up with everything he's put up with as secretary of state," Mr. Wolfensohn said in an interview.

The New York Times

Likelihood Slight.

The Guardian - Sport

The cost saving was reduced from $50 to $18 in the model that included just the direct cost of false positives ($1,248 vs. $1,230), and to $17 in the model that included both costs of false positives and a slight increase in likelihood of mammography in subsequent cycles after a false positive.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Likelihood Very slight.

The Guardian - Sport

The existence of four or more approaches, the reciprocal of the average turning radius and the presence of a turning pocket increase the likelihood of slight injury crashes.

Analytic Methods in Accident Research

Among highly educated men there is a slight decrease in the likelihood of medication use as income adequacy decreases, whereas among men with a low educational level there is a slight increase in the chances of medication use with a reduction in income adequacy.

BMC Women's Health

For simplicity, we use the same known LOD L for both x i and y i in the derivation below, but differences in the LODs for x i and y i (e.g., because of differences in laboratory procedures) can be incorporated with a slight modification of the likelihood function.

Environmental Health Perspectives

A slight increase in the likelihood of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slight likelihood", ensure that the context clearly indicates what event or outcome has a low probability. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "slight likelihood" when the probability is actually non-existent or significantly higher. Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the true probability to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight likelihood" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "slight" modifies the noun "likelihood". It indicates a low degree of probability or chance, suggesting that something is possible but not very probable. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight likelihood" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a low probability or chance of an event occurring. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is classified as correct and common. It finds applications across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and general informative writing. While "slight likelihood" accurately describes a minimal probability, ensuring it aligns with the actual possibility is essential for maintaining credibility. Alternatives such as "slim chance" or "remote possibility" can be used to express similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small probability

Focuses on the mathematical aspect of the chance.

unlikely event

States the improbability directly.

slim chance

Emphasizes the smallness of the possibility.

mere chance

Emphasizes that the chance is not much at all.

remote possibility

Highlights the distance or unlikelihood of the event.

reduced odds

Uses betting terminology to convey lower chances.

minimal prospect

Shifts the focus to the outlook or expectation.

tenuous possibility

Suggests the possibility is fragile or weak.

faint hope

Introduces an element of desire or wishfulness.

negligible risk

Highlights the smallness of the danger.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight likelihood" to indicate a low probability of something happening. For example, "There is a "slight likelihood" of rain tomorrow" or "The "slight likelihood" of success did not deter him".

What phrases are similar to "slight likelihood"?

Alternatives to "slight likelihood" include "slim chance", "remote possibility", or "small probability". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "slight likelihood" or "small chance"?

"Slight likelihood" and "small chance" are largely interchangeable. "Slight likelihood" might sound more formal, while "small chance" is more conversational. Choose based on your desired tone.

When should I NOT use "slight likelihood"?

Avoid using "slight likelihood" if the event is impossible or highly probable. Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the real probability, such as "no chance" or "high probability", depending on the situation.