slightly possible that

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly possible that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to imply that something is not likely but not impossible to happen. Example: It is slightly possible that the team could win the championship this year, but it would be an underdog story for the ages.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's just slightly possible that I don't need to take my phone in with me every time I use the bathroom.

Huffington Post

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

In fact, it is slightly possible that Pathway I is more GHG emission-intensive than baseline gasoline.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nike, Apple and Google have all honored the day with products that are either real, slightly possible or completely imaginary.

Huffington Post

Something can be very or slightly possible.

SEP

However, the sedation goal was to keep patients calm and awake, or when not possible, slightly sedated, that is, easily arousable.

Critical Care

It is possible that slightly different scan times may impact on segmentation volumes as there continues to be differential redistribution of FDG between benign and malignant tissue over time.

EJNMMI Research

Considering that the sucrose slightly increased, it is possible that this increment originated from the delivery of photo-assimilates from the shoot.

BMC Plant Biology

This means that it is possible that slightly higher values of Ne for the other nonrecombining autosomal genes could result in a higher rate of synonymous evolution compared with the fourth chromosome.

Genome Biology and Evolution

In this study, we used recombinant protein encoded by a single splice variant of sFLT1, and it is thus possible that slightly different results could have been obtained with the other splice variants.

Cardiovascular Research

Alternatively, it is also possible that slightly higher BH3 transgene expression levels in DP and CD4 SP cells could be responsible for this phenotype, although the levels of transgene expression do not necessarily correlate with GFP expression as demonstrated by the higher GFP M.F.I. in CD4+ T cells of Bcl-2 over BH3 Tg mice.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly possible that" when you want to acknowledge a possibility, but also convey that it is not very probable. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly possible that" when a situation is more probable. Using a stronger phrase will enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly possible that" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating a low degree of probability or possibility. It is used to express that something is not highly likely but is not entirely out of the question. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly possible that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a low degree of probability. While not exceedingly common, as shown by Ludwig's examples, it appears in diverse contexts such as news, science, and general discussions. Its purpose is to communicate uncertainty and qualify the likelihood of a statement. Remember that this phrase conveys the idea of something being not very probable but also not entirely impossible. Alternative phrases can be used to express similar levels of possibilities, but with different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally possible that

Suggests a small degree of possibility.

potentially possible that

Indicates a potential for possibility, not a certainty.

conceivably possible that

Highlights that is possible to conceive, but no guarantees.

just barely possible that

Stresses the narrow margin of possibility.

theoretically possible that

Indicates possibility in theory, though perhaps not in practice.

faintly conceivable that

Highlights the minimal chance of something happening.

remotely plausible that

Emphasizes the unlikelihood, bordering on implausibility.

slim chance that

Indicates a very small chance of something happening.

barely a chance that

Expresses a minimal chance, implying unlikeliness.

a remote chance that

Highlights the low probability of the event occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly possible that" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly possible that" to indicate a small chance of something happening. For example, "It's slightly possible that the game will be delayed due to rain".

What are some alternatives to "slightly possible that"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "remotely plausible that", "faintly conceivable that", or "marginally possible that".

Is it correct to say "a little possible that" instead of "slightly possible that"?

While "a little possible that" is understandable, "slightly possible that" is more grammatically sound and widely accepted in formal writing. It's a more precise and idiomatic expression.

What's the difference between "slightly possible that" and "very possible that"?

"Slightly possible that" implies a low probability, whereas "very possible that" indicates a high probability. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the likelihood of the event.