a remote possibility — slim chance
collocationC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
used to describe something that is technically possible but extremely unlikely to happen.
Say it like a native
Textbook That outcome remains a highly improbable and distant eventuality.
Native That's a remote possibility.
'Improbable and distant eventuality' is padded; 'a remote possibility' is the set phrase.
Pattern: there is a remote possibility (that) + clause | a remote possibility of + noun/gerund
In use
- There's only a remote possibility that the flight will be cancelled due to weather.daily life
- While some experts believe there is a remote possibility of reversing climate change, most agree that immediate action is necessary to prevent further damage.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ It's a far possibility.
✓ It's a remote possibility.
It's a 'remote' possibility, not a 'far' one.
Common collocations
a remote possibility— only a, just a, however, rule out
Don't confuse it
Unlike 'a possibility' (which simply means something could happen), 'a remote possibility' highlights that the chance is very small and the event is not expected.