slim prospects

USAGE SUMMARY

"slim prospects" is a correct phrase in written English.
It is used to convey that the chances of something happening are very small. For example: "The job market is tough right now, so recent graduates have slim prospects for finding employment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

" But opponents give a single-payer plan slim prospects.

The New York Times

His answer, given the slim prospects for the future in Gaza, is difficult to believe.

Independent

But all have slim prospects of joining the EU in the lifetime of anyone reading this article.

The Economist

Asked about his own slim prospects for a mayoral endorsement, he replied mischievously: "I was waiting by the phone".

The New York Times

"I'd be hesitant to talk about them except that in the past slim prospects have materialized for us".

The New York Times

Corporate tax revenues have slackened, and declining business confidence suggests slim prospects for an uptick anytime soon.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"It is a slim prospect as are nearly all of our prospects for the near term," he said.

The New York Times

For homeless people in the Bay Area, the difficulty is less not having a home as the slim prospect of ever getting one.

The Economist

Those with a greater – though still slim – prospect of survival may be off of Egypt, Australia (including the Great Barrier Reef), Cuba, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Guardian

And there is only a slim prospect of a medal on Monday for Alison Young in the Laser Radial final and none at all for the 2008 gold medallist Paul Goodison in the Laser.

Independent

The official would not give details about the terms of the deal, citing privacy issues, but said it was likely that Jeter's lawyers wanted to settle because of the slim prospect of his winning in court.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slim prospects", ensure the context clearly establishes what the prospects refer to. For example, specify "slim prospects for economic recovery" instead of just "slim prospects".

Common error

Avoid using "slim prospects" when the outcome is already determined. The phrase implies a small chance, not an impossibility. Use stronger language if the outcome is certain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slim prospects" functions as a noun phrase, where "slim" modifies the noun "prospects". It describes the quality or state of the prospects, indicating that they are not very promising. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slim prospects" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a low likelihood of success or a positive outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is indeed correct in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to manage expectations and convey a sense of pessimism. Alternatives such as "remote possibility" or "bleak outlook" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what the prospects are for, and avoid using it when the outcome is already certain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remote possibility

Emphasizes the distant nature of the chance.

slight chance

Focuses on the small degree of possibility.

meager hope

Highlights the insufficiency of hope.

bleak outlook

Indicates a negative forecast or prediction.

limited potential

Suggests restricted capacity for improvement.

unlikely outcome

Stresses the improbability of the result.

dim hope

Describes a faint or fading sense of hope.

poor chance

Implies a low probability of success.

doubtful prospects

Introduces an element of uncertainty about the chances.

long shot

Indicates something with a very low probability of success.

FAQs

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

You can use "slim prospects" to describe situations where there is little hope or chance of success. For example: "Due to the economic downturn, there are "slim prospects" for new job openings."

What's a good substitute for "slim prospects"?

Alternatives include "remote possibility", "slight chance", or "bleak outlook", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slim prospects" or "poor prospects"?

Both "slim prospects" and "poor prospects" are acceptable, but "slim prospects" often implies a slightly more optimistic view than "poor prospects", suggesting there's still a minimal chance, however small.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "slim prospects"?

It's inappropriate to use "slim prospects" when the outcome is already known or certain. The phrase suggests a degree of uncertainty that doesn't exist if the result is predetermined.