a high probability of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a high probability of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the likelihood of something happening or being true. For example, "There is a high probability of rain tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Similarly, we can speculate that lcnRNAs probably have a high probability of being lost during evolution.

eLife

"Since there's not a high probability of a coastal impact, they're probably going to let Mother Nature handle it".

Vice

But there is a high probability of more hot air.

The New York Times

Sir Robin found a "high probability of systemic corruption".

The Economist

Innovating like a startup means embracing the reality of a high probability of failure.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, our algorithm gave waiters and waitresses a (high) probability of computerisation of 94%.

The Guardian

Speaking to Politico in February, he warned of a "high probability" of another terrorist attack.

The New York Times

Future spacecraft would be directed to areas where there is a high probability of finding water.

The New York Times

The markets had anticipated a high probability of default for months, he said.

The New York Times

We will often invest in things that have a high probability of failure,' " Mr. Khosla said.

The New York Times

Preston Silvey, an analyst at First Dallas Securities, said Luby's had a high probability of getting the $80 million loan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundancy by ensuring the subject and verb choices align with the probabilistic nature of the phrase. For example, "the data indicates a high probability of" is stronger than "the data shows a high probability of maybe".

Common error

Be careful not to use "a high probability of" when the outcome is near certain. Instead of saying "there's a high probability the sun will rise tomorrow", use stronger terms like "certainty" or "guarantee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a high probability of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a significant likelihood or chance of something occurring. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a high probability of" is a versatile phrase used to express a significant likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread acceptance. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its frequent use in science and news reporting, with neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in defining the outcome and avoid overstating certainty when the event is guaranteed. Alternatives such as "a strong likelihood of" or "a substantial probability of" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable probability of

Replaces "high" with "considerable", indicating a notable level of likelihood.

a substantial probability of

Substitutes "high" with "substantial", suggesting a significant degree of probability.

a strong likelihood of

Replaces "probability" with "likelihood", emphasizing the chance of something happening.

a good chance of

Uses "chance" instead of "probability", offering a more informal alternative.

a high likelihood for

Swaps "probability" with "likelihood", changing the preposition to "for".

a strong possibility of

Replaces "probability" with "possibility", focusing on the potential for something to occur.

a high chance for

Uses "chance" instead of "probability", changing the preposition to "for".

a high potential for

Substitutes "probability of" with "potential for", focusing on the capacity for something to happen.

a significant risk of

Emphasizes the risk or danger associated with the probability.

likely to occur

Expresses the idea of a high probability in a more concise way, using "likely" to indicate the expected outcome.

FAQs

What's a less formal way to say "a high probability of"?

You could use phrases like "a good chance of" or "likely to happen" depending on the context.

How can I use "a high probability of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the likelihood of an event occurring. For example, "There is a high probability of rain tomorrow" or "The study showed a high probability of success with the new treatment".

What are some synonyms for "a high probability of"?

Some synonyms include "a strong likelihood of", "a substantial probability of", or "a significant chance of".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a high probability of"?

It's inappropriate when the outcome is already certain or guaranteed. In such cases, use stronger language to reflect the certainty.