thin chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"thin chance" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a likelihood that something will occur that is small or seemingly insignificant. For example, "There is a thin chance that I'll be able to make it to the meeting on time, so I'd better hurry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Sun said: "It all boiled down to this: an establishment reeling from its repeated exposure by Britain's 'feral' press seized a thin chance to muzzle us — and continues even now with its disgraceful attempt to kill the Freedom of Information Act..

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bent it until, by the thinnest, finest chance, I found I'd slid somewhere dank, unknown.

The Guardian - Books

With lines running for hundreds of miles and the allied forces stretched thin, the chances of preventing attacks are slim.

The New York Times

However, the Programme was still spread rather thin limiting chances to achieve significant results.

Unicef

Like only the thinnest membrane of chance or time separated me from winning.

Vice

But as wires and switches are shrunk and packed ever closer together, with thinner and thinner silicon insulation, the chance of current leakage rises.

Forbes

Pickings in Afghanistan are thin; there seems little chance of America starting another big war, with the juicy contracts it brings.They forecast consolidation: big firms buying little ones, and more transatlantic tie-ups.

The Economist

And then, disappointed with the take, we begin to dread the same fundraiser next year, when we'll have to ask the same friends and family to pony up for another box of Thin Mints or another chance at that ceramic mug hand-painted by my child.

Huffington Post

We figured we'd take our chances and thin out the herd for people who actually want to hear our album.

The Guardian - Music

The technique involves the use of specially designed rotary instruments that plane away the bone in thinner layers, with less chance of excess bone removal and membrane perforation.

The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

Chances were thin on the ground in a cagey first half, as Newcastle's five-man midfield worked hard to keep their hosts quiet.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thin chance" when you want to downplay the likelihood of an event, suggesting it's unlikely but not impossible. It's more evocative than simply saying "unlikely".

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, excessive use of "thin chance" can make formal writing sound less authoritative. Opt for more direct phrases like "low probability" or "limited opportunity" for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thin chance" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "chance". It serves to describe the quality of the chance, indicating it's small, unlikely, or insubstantial. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thin chance" describes a situation with a low probability of success or occurrence. It's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not extremely common, it’s found in news, science, and business writing and serves to convey doubt or manage expectations. Alternatives like "slim chance" or "slight possibility" exist, but the subtle emphasis on fragility makes "thin chance" unique. Remember to use it judiciously in formal writing, opting for more direct alternatives when a stronger impact is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim chance

Emphasizes the lack of substance or likelihood, suggesting a small possibility.

slight possibility

Highlights the small degree of likelihood.

remote chance

Indicates that the possibility is distant or unlikely.

meager hope

Focuses on the limited amount of hope associated with the chance.

scant prospect

Suggests that the likelihood of success is minimal.

small likelihood

Directly states the low probability of something happening.

narrow margin

Implies that the chance of success exists but is limited.

razor-thin possibility

Emphasizes the precariousness and minimal nature of the chance.

faint hope

Highlights the weak or delicate nature of the hope.

dubious prospect

Casts doubt on the likelihood of the chance resulting in success.

FAQs

How can I use "thin chance" in a sentence?

You can use "thin chance" to express a small or unlikely possibility. For example, "There's a "thin chance" that the project will be approved, but we should still prepare thoroughly."

What's the difference between "thin chance" and "slim chance"?

Both "thin chance" and "slim chance" convey a low probability. "Thin chance" might subtly emphasize the fragility or insubstantial nature of the possibility.

Are there more formal alternatives to "thin chance"?

Yes, in formal contexts, you could use phrases like "remote possibility", "low probability", or "limited opportunity" instead of "thin chance".

Is it correct to say "there is a thin chance" or "there are thin chances"?

While less common, "there are thin chances" is grammatically correct when referring to multiple distinct possibilities, but it's usually clearer to rephrase the sentence. "There is a "thin chance"" is generally preferred for a single unlikely event.