slim chance that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slim chance that" 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 that we will finish the project on time given the current delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is a slim chance that it might not.

The Economist

But there's a slim chance that they might.

The Guardian - Books

I've admitted there's a slim chance that ideas coming from others could be valuable as well".

The New York Times

There is still a slim chance that Mottau might open the season with the Rangers.

The New York Times - Sports

More subsidies would reduce the already slim chance that Europe will ever have a sustainable fishing industry.

The Economist

"Deadwood" has not been renewed for a fourth season, though there is a slim chance that it will return.

The New Yorker

Romney is in a horrible position but, strangely, there is a slim chance that he could benefit from it.

The New York Times

Russian aerospace engineers had said there was only a slim chance that the same computer malfunction would occur this time.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, there's a slim chance that the 2 3% minority is correct and the 97% climate consensus is wrong.

The Guardian

So what I'm trying to say is, there's a slim chance that there's some cocker-spaniel hair in this product.

The New Yorker

She said that she wanted the Bochum factory to stay open on the slim chance that her husband could work there again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slim chance that" to express a low probability when you want to acknowledge a possibility, however unlikely.

Common error

Avoid using "slim chance that" when the event is impossible. "Slim chance" still implies a possibility, however small, whereas some situations have zero probability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slim chance that" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement to indicate a low probability. It suggests that while something is possible, it is not likely. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Social Media

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slim chance that" is a widely used and grammatically correct way to express a low probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media. While alternatives like "minor chance that" or "slight chance that" exist, the core meaning remains consistent: acknowledging a possibility while emphasizing its unlikelihood. Remember to use it when there's genuine possibility, not when an event is impossible. Its common usage across authoritative sources reinforces its reliability as a communication tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim possibility that

Replaces "chance" with "possibility", a synonym with similar implications.

slim likelihood that

Substitutes "chance" with "likelihood", focusing on the improbability of the event.

slight chance that

Replaces "slim" with "slight", indicating a barely noticeable chance.

small chance that

Employs "small" instead of "slim", providing a more general term for a limited possibility.

low chance that

Replaces "slim" with "low", directly indicating a reduced probability.

little chance that

Employs "little" instead of "slim", emphasizing the scarce possibility.

tiny chance that

Uses "tiny" instead of "slim", emphasizing the smallness of the chance.

limited chance that

Uses "limited" to describe the chance, suggesting a restricted scope of possibility.

minor chance that

Replaces "slim" with "minor", indicating a slightly smaller degree of possibility.

minimal chance that

Substitutes "slim" with "minimal", suggesting the lowest possible chance.

FAQs

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

You can use "slim chance that" to express that there is a small possibility of something happening. For example, "There is a "slim chance that" the project will be completed on time."

What can I say instead of "slim chance that"?

You can use alternatives such as "minor chance that", "minimal chance that", or "slight chance that".

Is it correct to say "there's a slim chance that"?

Yes, "there's a "slim chance that"" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a low probability.

What's the difference between "slim chance that" and "little chance that"?

While both phrases convey a low probability, "little chance that" might suggest an even smaller possibility compared to "slim chance that", though the difference is often negligible.