a matter of probability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a matter of probability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood or chance of an event occurring. Example: "In this case, it is a matter of probability that the team will win based on their current performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But advanced hockey statisticians say no, that shooting percentage is mainly a matter of probability.

The New York Times

But the three-person tribunal panel decided that the trust's evidence was "unsatisfactory" and "unreliable" and that "as a matter of probability … Glick's reason or principal reason for pressing for [Gillespie's] dismissal was that she had made disclosures".

The Guardian

The normative approach quickly takes one into the central domains of epistemology, raising questions such as: "Is knowledge identical with justified true belief?," "Is the difference between knowledge and belief merely a matter of probability?," and "What is justification?" Philosophers have disagreed sharply about the complex relationship between the concepts of knowledge and certainty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is it a matter of probability, process, or some hybrid thereof?

SEP

Since medieval theologians and lawyers were no more in agreement concerning the ascription of sins (or of moral actions) than on other matters, the guidance of human conduct by confessors was also a matter of probability.

SEP

By substitution in (1), we have: Similarly, by interchanging 'HI' and 'T', we also have: If we then divide (2) by (3) we arrive at the following very useful equation: So far, this is simply a matter of probability theory.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I still don't think Ray's scenario is inevitable — I'm not sure even he thinks that, it's all a matter of probabilities.

The New Yorker

"We have the ability to win every single race," said Knaus, the crew chief for the driver Jimmie Johnson, as if it were merely a matter of probabilities.

The New York Times - Sports

As he sees it, it's all a matter of probabilities — the chance that a statin will prevent a heart attack for him personally, which no one can tell him for sure, versus the chance that a statin will turn out, after decades of use, to have been worse than nothing for him personally.

The New York Times - Health

Anyone who has read the 2014 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change knows that, while the modest (0.85 degrees Celsius, or about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit) warming of the earth since 1880 is indisputable, as is the human influence on that warming, much else that passes as accepted fact is really a matter of probabilities.

The New York Times

Moreover, these cases might suggest that connection is a matter of probabilities rather than processes.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a matter of probability" when you want to emphasize that an outcome is not certain but rather depends on the likelihood of specific events occurring.

Common error

Avoid using "a matter of probability" when discussing situations that are definitively known or guaranteed; this phrase implies uncertainty and varying degrees of likelihood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a matter of probability" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or an appositive. It describes a situation or outcome that is governed by chance or likelihood, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a matter of probability" is a versatile phrase used to express that an outcome is influenced by likelihood and chance rather than certainty. As Ludwig's analysis confirms, this phrase functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to highlight uncertainty and contingency. It is commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While alternatives such as ""a question of likelihood"" or ""a matter of chance"" exist, "a matter of probability" is particularly useful when the discussion centers on statistical assessments and predictable but uncertain outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a question of likelihood

Focuses on the likelihood aspect, framing it as a question rather than a definitive statement.

a matter of chance

Emphasizes the role of randomness or unpredictability.

a statistical likelihood

Highlights the statistical nature, suggesting a calculation or prediction is involved.

a probabilistic event

Frames it as an event governed by probability.

a likely outcome

Shifts the focus to the result that is expected based on probability.

a possible scenario

Broadens the scope to include various possibilities, not solely based on probability.

a calculated risk

Implies that the probability has been assessed to make a decision.

a game of chance

Highlights unpredictability and risk taking.

dependent on likelihood

Expresses conditional dependence on probability or chance.

contingent on chance

Highlights the dependence on a random, and potentially unpredictable, event.

FAQs

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

You can use "a matter of probability" to indicate that an outcome is likely but not certain. For example, "Whether the project succeeds is "a matter of probability", depending on market conditions".

What are some alternatives to "a matter of probability"?

Alternatives include "a matter of chance", "a statistical likelihood", or "a question of likelihood", depending on the context.

Is "a matter of probability" formal or informal?

"A matter of probability" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it is more frequently used in analytical or scientific discussions.

What's the difference between "a matter of probability" and "a matter of possibility"?

"A matter of probability" implies varying degrees of likelihood, while "a matter of possibility" simply indicates that something is not impossible, regardless of how unlikely it may be.