It is improbable that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It is improbable that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a certain event or situation occurring. Example: "It is improbable that the team will win the championship given their current performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is improbable that the secessionist appetite has been quashed.

Independent

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

The New York Times

It is improbable that a big Chinese bank would be allowed to go under if a similar situation arose again.

The Economist

It is improbable that any other family had ever had quite such power in the Oxbridge system.

The Guardian - Books

It is improbable that seawater has changed through time from a solution approximately in equilibrium with these reaction products—i.e., with clay minerals and carbonates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is improbable that opinion would have supported gold exports in the presence of severe penalties for the possession of gold by Americans.

The Economist

It is improbable that nobody in the Labour Party suspected anything was wrong in Glasgow until Mr Gould spilled the beans.

The Economist

It is improbable that sweating sickness should appear as a well-defined disease and then vanish altogether, although such disappearances, while rare, are not unknown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is improbable that the pound could be fixed to the euro at a rate at which it had never traded.

The Economist

It is improbable that Strauss-Kahn will try to repeat such a strategy with regard to European fiscal policy.

Forbes

It is improbable that any solution to program (6 8) will stay both feasible and optimal for all scenarios indicated by ( s, in,varOmega ).

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is improbable that", consider the context and audience to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. While grammatically sound, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "it is improbable that" in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "it's unlikely that" or "I doubt it" would be more suitable and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It is improbable that" functions as a modal expression indicating a low probability or a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "It is improbable that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a low degree of probability or certainty. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable. It's particularly common in scientific and formal writing, as seen in the analyzed examples. While versatile, it's best to consider the formality of the context when choosing between this phrase and simpler alternatives like "it's unlikely that" or "I doubt it".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It seems improbable that

Adds a layer of observation or appearance to the original phrase, indicating that the improbability is based on current evidence or perception.

It is unlikely that

This alternative replaces "improbable" with "unlikely", maintaining a similar level of uncertainty but with a slightly more common term.

There's little chance that

Emphasizes the minimal possibility of something occurring.

It is doubtful that

This option uses "doubtful" to convey a sense of uncertainty or skepticism, similar to "improbable".

It's hardly likely that

This alternative replaces "improbable" with "hardly likely", conveying a similar sense of improbability with slightly stronger emphasis.

It is questionable whether

Replaces "improbable" with "questionable whether", suggesting uncertainty and inviting scrutiny.

I doubt that

Shifts the perspective to a personal expression of doubt, maintaining a similar level of uncertainty but in a more direct way.

The odds are against

This is an idiomatic alternative expressing a low probability of something happening.

Chances are slim that

This phrase uses a more informal tone to indicate a low probability of a particular event occurring.

It's a long shot that

Expresses that something is very unlikely to happen, but still possible.

FAQs

What does "It is improbable that" mean?

The phrase "It is improbable that" means that something is unlikely to happen or is not probable. It expresses a low degree of certainty or expectation.

How can I use "It is improbable that" in a sentence?

You can use "It is improbable that" to express your doubt about a future event or a current situation. For example, "It is improbable that the stock market will crash tomorrow".

What are some synonyms for "It is improbable that"?

Some synonyms include "it is unlikely that", "it is doubtful that", and "it is questionable whether".

Is "It is improbable that" formal or informal?

"It is improbable that" is generally considered more formal. In less formal contexts, phrases like "it's unlikely that" or "I doubt that" might be more appropriate.