slim hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slim hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a very small chance of something happening or being successful. Example: "Despite the challenges we face, there is still a slim hope that we can turn things around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's a slim hope.

The New York Times

So maybe there's a slim hope yet.

The Guardian - Business

And besides, a slim hope is better than none at all.

The Economist

But the Mets still have a slim hope of keeping him.

The New York Times - Sports

Any slim hope of a West Virginia comeback ended with 8 minutes 59 seconds remaining.

The New York Times - Sports

They have the Colts and Jaguars coming up, so they have slim hope, too.

The New York Times

Such calculations are also Beith's slim hope, but these things are decided by the bigger battalions.

The Guardian

Randolph had held out the slim hope that Martínez's discomfort was a cramp, nothing severe.

The New York Times - Sports

Eriksson said a slim hope remained the Drogba would be able to play in South Africa.

The Guardian - Sport

At best, there is slim hope that a deal could be completed before the end of the week.

The New York Times - Sports

The only slim hope is a deal, led by the White House and a small group of McCainites.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slim hope", consider the context and ensure that it accurately reflects the degree of optimism or pessimism you intend to convey. It's often used to acknowledge a possibility, however unlikely.

Common error

Avoid using "slim hope" when there's a reasonable certainty of success. This phrase is best suited for scenarios where the odds are significantly against the desired outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slim hope" functions as a noun phrase that describes a situation where there is a minimal expectation or chance of a positive outcome. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It often appears in contexts where the situation is uncertain or pessimistic, but not entirely devoid of optimism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slim hope" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that expresses a minimal expectation or chance of a positive outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news and media, and sports contexts and carries a neutral tone. While synonyms such as ""faint hope"" or ""slight chance"" offer similar meanings, "slim hope" is versatile and widely understood. However, it's essential to use the phrase appropriately, avoiding it when a more certain outcome is expected. In conclusion, "slim hope" serves as a useful tool to convey cautious optimism in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thin hope

Replaces "slim" with "thin", suggesting a similar degree of slightness or insubstantiality in the hope.

small hope

Substitutes "slim" with "small", indicating a reduced amount or degree of hope.

faint hope

Replaces "slim" with "faint", emphasizing the weakness or lack of clarity in the hope.

slight hope

Similar to "slim hope", "slight hope" suggests a minimal or unsubstantial amount of hope.

narrow hope

Synonymous to 'slim', this alternative is also very direct, indicating a limited amount of hope.

scant hope

Uses "scant" to emphasize the meager or insufficient amount of hope available.

remote possibility

Shifts from "hope" to "possibility", highlighting the unlikelihood of something occurring.

minimal expectation

Replaces "hope" with "expectation", focusing on the anticipation of something with a low degree of confidence.

outside chance

Indicates that the chance of something happening is very unlikely or improbable.

long shot

Replaces "hope" with a term for something with a low probability of success, implying a risky or uncertain venture.

FAQs

How can I use "slim hope" in a sentence?

You can use "slim hope" to describe a situation where there is a small chance of a positive outcome. For example: "Despite the challenges, there's a "slim hope" that the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to "slim hope"?

Alternatives to "slim hope" include "faint hope", "slight chance", or "remote possibility". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "slim hope" a formal or informal expression?

"Slim hope" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as it is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversations. However, more formal alternatives like "minimal expectation" could be considered for highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "slim hope" and "false hope"?

"Slim hope" indicates a small, but real, chance of something positive happening. "False hope", on the other hand, suggests a belief in a positive outcome that is unlikely or impossible, often leading to disappointment.