a highest probability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a highest probability" is not correct in standard English; it should be "the highest probability." You can use "the highest probability" when discussing the most likely outcome or event in a statistical or probabilistic context.
Example: "Based on the data analysis, we can conclude that event A has the highest probability of occurring."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Representing music as states of relative pitch and rhythm, Pollastri and Simoncelli [29] used Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to determine the style of a composer which is identified based on a highest probability scheme.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Our analyses based on various data sets overwhelmingly support that the Spalacinae had a highest probability to be a basal clade relative to others within Spalacidae, while Rhizomyinae and Myospalacinae form a sister group.

BMC Genomics

Five classes were identified with differing infectious disease patterns and children were assigned to the class for which they had a highest probability of membership based on their infectious symptom profile: 'general infection' (n = 1,252, 12.5%), 'gastrointestinal' (n = 1,902, 19.0%), 'mild respiratory' (n = 3,560, 35.5%), 'colds/ear ache' (n = 462, 4.6%) and 'healthy' (n = 2,856, 28.5%).

European Journal of Epidemiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

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

Vice

"I wouldn't assign a high probability to it".

The New York Times

But there is a high probability of more hot air.

The New York Times

"It suggests a higher probability of lying," he said.

The New York Times

He has a higher probability of surviving in the United States.

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian

"There's a high probability it might be rigged," she said.

The New York Times

They have a higher probability of going to university and finishing their course".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct grammatical form, which is "the highest probability", when referring to the most likely outcome. This ensures clarity and avoids grammatical errors.

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "a" with superlative adjectives like "highest". The correct usage requires the definite article "the" to indicate a specific, unique maximum value: use "the highest probability" instead of "a highest probability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a highest probability" functions as a noun phrase intended to denote the greatest likelihood of an event or outcome. However, it's grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "the highest probability". According to Ludwig AI, the original phrase is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33.33%

News & Media

66.67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a highest probability" is intended to signify the greatest likelihood of an event. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "the highest probability". While examples can be found in both news and scientific sources, it's crucial to use the grammatically correct version to ensure clarity and credibility. When aiming for precision in formal or professional contexts, remember that "the highest probability" is the accepted and recommended phrasing. Consider using alternatives such as "maximum likelihood" in statistical contexts or "greatest chance" for simpler communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the highest probability

Corrected grammatical form of the original phrase, making it standard English.

highest likelihood

Uses a synonym for 'probability' while maintaining the superlative degree.

maximum likelihood

A more formal term, often used in statistical contexts.

very high probability

Expresses a similar idea with a slightly less formal tone.

greatest chance

Simplifies the concept using more common vocabulary.

extremely high probability

Emphasizes the high degree of probability.

optimal probability

Indicates the most favorable or desired probability.

peak probability

Suggests the highest point in a range of probabilities.

topmost probability

A less common but emphatic way to describe the highest probability.

utmost probability

Emphasizes the maximum extent of the probability.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a highest probability"?

The grammatically correct way to express this idea is to use the definite article and say "the highest probability". The indefinite article "a" is not appropriate with superlative adjectives.

Is "a highest probability" ever appropriate in a sentence?

No, "a highest probability" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct form is "the highest probability".

What are some alternative ways to express "a highest probability" while maintaining a formal tone?

Alternatives include "maximum likelihood", "greatest chance", or "optimal probability". These options provide similar meanings while adhering to grammatical standards.

How does the meaning change if I use "the highest probability" instead of "a highest probability"?

Using "the highest probability" corrects a grammatical error and clearly indicates the single, most likely outcome or event. "A highest probability" is non-standard and could cause confusion.