Highly probable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Highly probable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong likelihood or chance of something occurring. Example: "Based on the data we have collected, it is highly probable that the new marketing strategy will increase sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This sounds highly probable".

Independent

"But these sites are highly probable".

The New York Times

A total above £20m looks highly probable.

The Guardian - Film

In fact, it seems highly probable.

The Guardian

Even so, one thing stands out as being highly probable.

The Guardian

"An eventual liquidation of the company is highly probable".

The New York Times

Given the likely scale of Labour's loss, it is now highly probable that Miliband will resign.

The Guardian

It was highly probable that East had no more clubs and was hoping for a ruff.

The New York Times - Arts

That made it highly probable that East held at least five clubs.

The New York Times - Arts

"He said it was possible — highly probable — that there were R.U.F.

The New York Times

It is highly probable that the referendum will be decided by them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While "highly probable" is generally appropriate for formal writing, a more informal phrase like "very likely" might be suitable for casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "highly probable" when the outcome is merely possible but lacks substantial supporting evidence. Overusing it can weaken its impact and undermine your credibility. Use alternatives such as possible or conceivable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly probable" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a high degree of likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly probable" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for diverse contexts like news, science, and formal communications. While versatile, be mindful of potential overstatement and consider alternative phrases like "very likely" for more informal settings. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its credibility and widespread acceptance. This phrase effectively conveys a well-founded expectation of an event's occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Highly likely

Swaps the order of the words, maintaining a similar meaning.

Extremely probable

Emphasizes a greater degree of likelihood.

Very likely

Uses a more common and less formal expression.

Almost certain

Indicates a near-absolute conviction about the event.

Reasonably certain

Suggests a justified level of certainty based on available evidence.

Good chance

Uses a more informal idiom to express probability.

Likely enough

This is a reduction in intensity and formal tone, but maintaining a similar meaning.

Presumably

Shifts the focus to an assumption based on probability.

It stands to reason

Focuses on the logical basis for the probability.

Foreseeable

Emphasizes the ability to anticipate the event.

FAQs

How can I use "Highly probable" in a sentence?

You can use "Highly probable" to describe an event that is very likely to occur. For example, "Given the current trends, it is "highly probable" that interest rates will rise."

What are some alternatives to "Highly probable"?

Alternatives include "very likely", "extremely probable", and "almost certain". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "Highly probable" or "Highly likely"?

Both "Highly probable" and "Highly likely" are correct and convey a similar meaning. "Highly probable" might be perceived as slightly more formal or scientific, while "Highly likely" is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "Highly probable" and "Possible"?

"Possible" indicates that something could happen, while "Highly probable" suggests a strong likelihood that it will happen. "Highly probable" implies a greater degree of certainty or supporting evidence compared to "possible".