a likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

"a likelihood" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the probability that something is true or will happen. For example, "There is a likelihood that the store will close early due to inclement weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps even a likelihood.

Independent

A possibility, but not a likelihood.

The New York Times - Sports

You get a likelihood surface.

Cornell University

A likelihood and a prior.

Cornell University

Is it a likelihood in this case?

The New York Times

A likelihood based method is needed.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Ground radar tests indicated a likelihood that the grave remained.

The New York Times

"So it has a likelihood of lasting much longer".

The New York Times

So there's a likelihood it could become a sleeper hit!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's a likelihood that no consents were signed".

The New York Times

"It's always a likelihood," he said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a likelihood", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or outcome is being assessed for its probability. For example, specify "a likelihood of success" or "a likelihood of failure".

Common error

Avoid using "a likelihood" when the situation is highly uncertain or speculative. Using it inappropriately can create a false impression of predictability. Instead, opt for phrases like "a possibility" or "a chance" to convey more uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a likelihood" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the probability or chance of a specific event or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

48%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a likelihood" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to express the probability or chance of a particular event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key to conveying the intended degree of probability. While it's a versatile phrase, it's crucial to avoid overstating probability and to choose synonyms like "a probability" or "a chance" when appropriate. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times and scientific journals often employ "a likelihood", reflecting its acceptability in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a probability

Changes the noun from 'likelihood' to 'probability', offering a direct synonym.

a chance

Replaces 'likelihood' with 'chance', suggesting a possibility of something occurring.

a possibility

Substitutes 'likelihood' with 'possibility', indicating something that could happen or be true.

a prospect

Uses 'prospect' instead of 'likelihood', implying an expectation or potential for something.

a tendency

Replaces 'likelihood' with 'tendency', indicating a predisposition towards something.

a degree of certainty

Expresses 'likelihood' as a level of confidence or sureness.

a good bet

Offers an idiomatic alternative to 'likelihood', suggesting a high probability of success.

a credible scenario

Uses 'credible scenario' instead of 'likelihood', emphasizing believability and potential occurrence.

a reasonable expectation

Replaces 'likelihood' with 'reasonable expectation', focusing on what can be logically anticipated.

a distinct anticipation

Uses 'distinct anticipation' instead of 'likelihood', highlighting clear expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "a likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "a likelihood" to describe the probability of an event occurring, such as "There is "a likelihood of rain" tomorrow" or "The project has "a likelihood of success"".

What's the difference between "a likelihood" and "a possibility"?

"A likelihood" suggests a higher degree of probability than "a possibility". While a possibility indicates something could happen, a likelihood suggests it's more probable.

Which is more formal, "a likelihood" or "a chance"?

"A likelihood" tends to be more formal than "a chance", which is often used in more informal contexts. "A likelihood" is frequently found in scientific and formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "a likelihood"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a probability", "a prospect", or "a tendency".