slim chance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slim chance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a low probability or likelihood of something happening. Example: "There is a slim chance of rain tomorrow, so you might want to leave your umbrella at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

McConaughey's slim chance of losing.

The Guardian - Film

But he has a slim chance of winning.

The New York Times

A slim chance of making the Super Six stage.

The Guardian - Sport

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

Slim chance of that idea catching on among the fashion bloggers.

The New York Times

Ukip may damage Cameron's slim chance of winning a working majority too.

The Guardian

Until it gets one, the world has a slim chance of bringing emissions under control.

The New York Times

The Falcons still have a slim chance of taking the N.F.C.

The New York Times

Munir had presumed there was a very slim chance of getting picked for a question.

The Guardian

The admissible evidence against the second was assessed as offering a slim chance of conviction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, consider preceding the phrase with adverbs such as "very" or "extremely" (e.g., "a very slim chance of success") to further nuance the degree of improbability.

Common error

Avoid using "slim chance of" when the situation is impossible rather than merely improbable. If something is impossible, use stronger terms like "no chance" or "out of the question" to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slim chance of" functions as a qualifier, specifically indicating a low degree of probability or possibility. It modifies a noun or gerund, expressing the likelihood (or lack thereof) of an event or outcome. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slim chance of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a low probability or possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in various writing contexts. While suitable for general use, consider more precise language in highly formal settings. Its frequent appearance in News & Media confirms its widespread applicability. The phrase conveys doubt and realism, helping to manage expectations effectively. While many alternatives exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance and tone desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrow chance of

Replaces "slim" with "narrow", emphasizing the small margin of possibility.

slight possibility of

Substitutes "chance" with "possibility" and "slim" with "slight", offering a more formal tone.

remote possibility of

Uses "remote" instead of "slim" to highlight the unlikelihood of the event.

minimal likelihood of

Replaces "chance" with "likelihood" and "slim" with "minimal", offering a more formal and precise expression.

small prospect of

Substitutes "chance" with "prospect" and "slim" with "small", changing the focus slightly to future outlook.

meager hope of

Replaces "chance" with "hope" and "slim" with "meager", emphasizing the scarcity of positive expectation.

thin expectation of

Uses "thin" to describe the expectation, highlighting its weakness.

unlikely prospect of

Focuses on the low probability by using "unlikely" instead of "slim".

faint glimmer of hope for

Emphasizes the weakness and scarcity of hope in a more descriptive manner.

negligible probability of

Replaces "slim chance" with a more formal and statistically oriented expression.

FAQs

How can I use "slim chance of" in a sentence?

You can use "slim chance of" to indicate a low probability or possibility of something occurring. For example, "There is a "slim chance of" rain today", or "He has a "slim chance of" winning the competition".

What are some alternatives to "slim chance of"?

You can use alternatives like "slight possibility of", "remote possibility of", or "minimal likelihood of" depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it better to say "slim chance of" or "little chance of"?

Both "slim chance of" and "little chance of" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to achieve. "Slim" might suggest a slightly more nuanced or subtle level of improbability.

What's the difference between "slim chance of" and "wishful thinking"?

"Slim chance of" indicates a low probability based on observable facts or circumstances. "Wishful thinking", on the other hand, implies that someone is hoping for something to happen despite it being unrealistic or improbable, often based on desire rather than evidence.