slim chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slim chance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when there is a small possibility of something happening or being true. For example, "There's a slim chance of finding this item in stock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Slim chance.

Forbes

"We've got a slim chance tomorrow".

The New York Times - Sports

McConaughey's slim chance of losing.

The Guardian - Film

A slim chance, but a chance.

The Guardian - Sport

But he has a slim chance of winning.

The New York Times

There is a slim chance that it might not.

The Economist

The Wolverines also have a slim chance for that.

The New York Times - Sports

A slim chance of making the Super Six stage.

The Guardian - Sport

But there's a slim chance that they might.

The Guardian - Books

Any slim chance of building a bipartisan national consensus was gone".

The New York Times

Paul: There's only a very slim chance of another title game rematch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slim chance" when you want to downplay the likelihood of an event without completely dismissing it. It's more nuanced than saying there's 'no chance' and can imply a sliver of hope.

Common error

While "slim chance" is widely understood, it can sound informal or colloquial in highly formal writing. In academic papers or business reports, consider using more precise probabilistic language, such as "low probability" or "minimal likelihood."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slim chance" functions as a noun phrase that modifies an event's likelihood. It implies a low probability or possibility of something occurring. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slim chance" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a low probability or possibility. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in English writing. While appropriate for most contexts, be mindful of using more formal language in academic or business settings. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources. Consider alternatives like "slight possibility" or "remote possibility" to add variety to your writing when expressing doubt or skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight possibility

Emphasizes the small degree of possibility rather than the chance itself.

remote possibility

Highlights the unlikelihood and distance from reality.

thin hope

Focuses on the minimal amount of hope present.

scant prospect

Stresses the limited and insufficient nature of the outlook.

outside chance

Suggests that the chance exists but is not very likely.

long shot

Implies that success is possible but highly improbable.

minimal likelihood

Directly addresses the low probability of the event.

negligible probability

Highlights that the probability is so small it's almost non-existent.

rare opportunity

Shifts the emphasis to the infrequency of the chance.

improbable scenario

Highlights that the situation is not expected to happen.

FAQs

How to use "slim chance" in a sentence?

You can use "slim chance" to express a low probability of something happening. For example: "There's a slim chance the project will be completed on time."

What can I say instead of "slim chance"?

You can use alternatives like "slight possibility", "remote possibility", or "outside chance" depending on the context.

Is "slim chance" an idiom?

Yes, "slim chance" is considered an idiom. It's an expression where the meaning isn't directly deductible from the literal definitions of the words.

Which is correct, "slim chance" or "fat chance"?

Both "slim chance" and "fat chance" are idioms that mean there's little to no possibility of something happening. Ironically, they have the same meaning despite the contrasting adjectives. Use them carefully as they can sometimes sound sarcastic.