slightly improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that has a low likelihood of occurring, but is not entirely impossible. Example: "While the chances of winning the lottery are slightly improbable, many still buy tickets in hopes of a big win."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

IT seemed slightly improbable when, five years ago, the American Ballet Theater principal Ángel Corella started his own company in the Spanish province of Segovia.

The New York Times - Arts

The alliance is giving some logistical help to the slightly improbable Polish effort, but already has its hands full in Afghanistan and the Balkans.

The Economist

IT seemed slightly improbable when, five years ago, the American Ballet Theater principal ngel Corella started his own company in the Spanish province of Segovia.

The New York Times

We get glimpses of the cast's other well-known faces: Rachel Weisz (prone, covered in mud); Keitel and lady companion; Paul Dano, with slightly improbable moustache.

The Guardian - Film

Thus Sarah, on first encountering the group: "Why is it that self-righteousness always goes hand-in-hand with resistance movements?" Which side of the line she finds herself on forms the slightly improbable denouement.

Independent

Two days later, Novell and Netscape Communications, a leading Internet-software formedformed a joint venture called Novonyx, whose slightly improbable task is to get big companies to use both firms' (rival) technologies.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A more objective Amazon reviewer described it as "an argument in favour of book-burning .The plot of "Sex and the Single Zillionaire" is only slightly more improbook-burning .Thecent history of Hewlett-plotard (HP), a cofpany for which Mr PerkinSexorked in the 1960s and on whose board he sathehen he waSingleing his bonkbuster.

The Economist

Routinely described as a "big beast" of Conservatism, he resembles a bloodhound more than a lion or bear: slightly shambolic and improbable, but dogged and effective.In this section Britain's fallen star Open season Breaking up is hard to do Who goes where?

The Economist

Except that maybe in an improbable, unlikely, and slightly impossible way, it is actually slightly possible that the big ball of life and fire and laughter and compassion and humor and drive and strength that he was for so many years might still be with us in another way and in another realm.

Huffington Post

Even as a writer's conceit, it sounds highly improbable and it is, but slightly less so in France.

The Guardian

But start with this very slightly comforting fact: all experience has a potential value to someone somewhere, however indirect or improbable it might seem.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly improbable" when you want to express that something is not very likely to happen or be true, but it's not completely impossible. It's ideal for situations where there is a small chance of something occurring, allowing you to introduce an element of surprise or uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly improbable" when the situation is clearly impossible or highly unlikely. This phrase is best suited for scenarios with a slim but realistic chance of occurring, not for expressing absolute impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly improbable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the degree of unlikelihood. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's used to soften the assertion of something being improbable, suggesting a possibility, however small, remains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly improbable" is a useful phrase for expressing a degree of unlikelihood that isn't absolute. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and well-suited for scenarios where something is unlikely but not impossible. Common in News & Media, its neutral register makes it versatile for various contexts. When writing, remember to use it when a small chance of occurrence exists. Alternatives like "somewhat unlikely" can be used for similar effect, though "slightly improbable" adds a specific flavor of possibility amid doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unlikely

Implies a moderate degree of unlikelihood, similar to "slightly improbable" but may suggest a more general assessment.

marginally improbable

Indicates that something is improbable by a small margin, very close in meaning to the original phrase.

a bit improbable

Uses "a bit" to soften the improbability, conveying a similar sense of mild unlikelihood.

rather unlikely

Suggests a noticeable level of unlikelihood, potentially stronger than "slightly improbable".

somewhat implausible

Replaces 'improbable' with 'implausible', focusing on the lack of believability.

mildly unlikely

Uses 'mildly' to indicate a gentle degree of unlikelihood.

a little improbable

Uses "a little" to soften the improbability, conveying a similar sense of mild unlikelihood, similar to "a bit improbable".

not entirely probable

Expresses improbability by negating probability, indicating that something isn't fully expected.

hardly probable

Implies a stronger sense of improbability, indicating a low chance of occurrence.

questionable likelihood

Focuses on questioning how likely something is, suggesting doubt about its probability.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly improbable" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly improbable" to describe events or scenarios that are unlikely but still possible. For example, "It seemed "slightly improbable" when he predicted the stock market crash."

What are some alternatives to "slightly improbable"?

Alternatives include "somewhat unlikely", "marginally improbable", or "a bit improbable" depending on the context.

Is "slightly improbable" formal or informal?

"Slightly improbable" is suitable for both neutral and slightly formal contexts. In more informal settings, you might prefer phrases like "a little unlikely".

What's the difference between "slightly improbable" and "highly improbable"?

"Slightly improbable" suggests a small chance of something happening, while "highly improbable" indicates that the event is very unlikely to occur. The degree of unlikelihood is significantly greater with "highly improbable".