the remote possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the remote possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that is highly unlikely to occur. Example: "There is a remote possibility that we might encounter a delay due to weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The remote possibility of miscarriage?

The New York Times

Usually even the remote possibility is enough to cause outcry.

The Guardian

The remote possibility of increased damages for failure to notify will not change that.

The Guardian - Opinion

The remote possibility of reaching Florida's shore on a raft kept our hopes alive.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is even the remote possibility that Cleveland might trade the pick, maybe to the Jets.

The New York Times - Sports

Even the remote possibility of such a development underscores the danger of continued stalemate.

The New York Times

But the two countries are glimpsing the remote possibility of a lasting peace.

The Economist

(A death sentence, the judge observed, should really be called "life in prison with the remote possibility of death").

The New Yorker

The researchers reasoned that the mental anguish provoked by the remote possibility of infection was not worth disclosure.

The New York Times - Magazine

That, and not the remote possibility that the talks actually "succeed," is the greatest risk of continuing to talk.

The New York Times

Implicit in Clark's story (or Gerhartsreiter's account of Clark's story) is the remote possibility that Gerhartsreiter could be a Rockefeller.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the remote possibility" to introduce scenarios that are technically possible but highly improbable, adding a layer of nuance to your predictions or risk assessments.

Common error

Avoid using "the remote possibility" when the event is impossible; reserve it for situations where there is a theoretical chance, however small, of occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the remote possibility" functions as a noun phrase that qualifies a situation or event as having a low probability of occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the remote possibility" is a commonly used phrase to denote a scenario or event with a low chance of occurring. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is accurate and fit for use in various contexts, particularly within news, academic, and scientific fields. While it's important to not exaggerate the improbability of a scenario, the phrase is effective for acknowledging low-likelihood outcomes, providing a balanced view in predictions or risk evaluations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slim chance

Emphasizes the smallness of the probability.

a slight chance

Indicates a minimally possible outcome.

a faint possibility

Suggests the possibility is barely perceptible.

a low probability

Focuses on the statistical unlikelihood of the event.

a negligible chance

Highlights that the chance is so small it's practically non-existent.

an unlikely event

Frames the situation as improbable.

a minimal possibility

Underlines that the possibility is at its lowest degree.

a long shot

Implies the attempt to succeed has very little expectation.

a snowballs chance in hell

An idiom expressing complete improbability.

hardly any likelihood

Stresses the scarcity of any real possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "the remote possibility" in a sentence?

Use "the remote possibility" to express a small chance that something might happen, such as, "There is "the remote possibility" of rain tomorrow, but it's unlikely".

What phrases are similar to "the remote possibility"?

Similar phrases include "a slim chance", "a slight chance", or "a faint possibility", which all indicate a low probability of something happening.

Is it okay to use "the remote possibility" in formal writing?

Yes, "the remote possibility" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to convey that something is unlikely but still potentially possible.

What is the difference between "the remote possibility" and "impossible"?

"The remote possibility" suggests something is very unlikely but still conceivable, while "impossible" means something cannot happen under any circumstances.