It's improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It's improbable" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of an event or situation occurring. Example: "While anything is possible, it's improbable that they will win the championship this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"It's improbable.

The New York Times

It's improbable but not unimaginable.

The New York Times

"It's improbable," I say.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's improbable six blade design is a deadly weapon.

The Guardian

"It's improbable, but I could see it happening.

The New York Times - Sports

It's improbable, but then so is the film.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It is improbable that the I.I.T.'s will ever regain their old glory.

The New York Times

But there is reason to hope that the city's renewal is as inexorable as it is improbable.

The New York Times

And it is improbable.

The New York Times

It is improbable that the secessionist appetite has been quashed.

Independent

"We just believe it is improbable," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with a concession like "but not impossible" to demonstrate a balanced and thorough perspective.

Common error

Do not use "It's improbable" as a synonym for "It's impossible". Using the former implies that a chance—no matter how small—still exists. If an event cannot happen under any circumstances, use "impossible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It's improbable" serves as a declarative statement using an impersonal construction. It consists of the dummy subject "it", the contracted linking verb "is", and the predicative adjective "improbable". According to Ludwig, it functions to qualify the truth-value or likelihood of a succeeding clause or an implied event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It's improbable" is a robust and effective phrase for communicating low likelihood with a touch of sophistication. Analysis from Ludwig shows that it thrives in environments where evidence-based skepticism is required, such as in The New York Times or scientific reporting. While the contracted form is widely accepted in most professional writing, its uncontracted counterpart remains the gold standard for academic rigor. By using it correctly, writers can distinguish between what is merely unlikely and what is truly impossible, ensuring precise and credible communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is unlikely

Uses the full verb form and a more common adjective for a standard neutral tone

It's highly unlikely

Adds an intensifier to emphasize the extremely low probability

It is doubtful

Shifts the focus slightly toward the speaker's personal skepticism or uncertainty

It's implausible

Suggests that the scenario lacks a logical or believable explanation

It's far-fetched

A more idiomatic way to say a scenario is difficult to believe

It's dubious

Implies that the probability is not only low but also potentially suspicious

It's not anticipated

Formal phrasing often used in business to describe an unexpected outcome

It is not expected

Directly negates the expectation of an event occurring

It's questionable

Indicates that the likelihood or validity of the situation is open to doubt

It's a long shot

Informal idiom specifically referring to a very low-probability chance of success

FAQs

How to use "It's improbable" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a skeptical view, such as: "While the data is promising, "It's improbable" that we will see results by tomorrow."

What is the difference between "It's improbable" and "it's impossible"?

The main difference is the degree of certainty; "It's improbable" means something is unlikely to happen, whereas "it's impossible" means it cannot happen.

Is "It's improbable" considered formal?

It is suitable for professional journalism and business, but for formal scientific papers, you should use the uncontracted "it is improbable".

What can I say instead of "It's improbable"?

Depending on the context, you can use "it's unlikely", "it's doubtful", or "it's implausible".