a minimal likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minimal likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the probability or chance of an event occurring, particularly in statistical or analytical contexts. Example: "Given the current data, there is a minimal likelihood of the project being completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Nearest-Neighbor model [ 20] and blastn were applied to identify probe candidates for each input sequence with a minimal likelihood of cross-hybridization.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the timing of tests is sporadic, and many probationers take their chances and use drugs, either because they can't control themselves or because the minimal likelihood of a test encourages risk.

The New Yorker

Using the UPS option "Unique Probe within a group," a user can find unique probes for each sequence with minimal likelihood of matching non-target sequences in the uploaded sequence set.

BMC Genomics

Therefore, we decided to conduct a random, parallel design so as to ensure internal validity (equivalence between groups, minimal likelihood of confounding); however, to the extent that our study suffered from a potential Hawthorne effect, this will most likely have resulted in an under-estimation of the impact of protocol-guided test ordering.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

It also identifies delinquent borrowers who have minimal likelihood of going to foreclosure, even if they're more than 30 days late on payments.

Los Angeles Times

To justify the routine use of prophylactic physiotherapy after abdominal surgery, we need to be confident of efficacy and the minimal likelihood of harm.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

K-ras mutation on tumour samples has since been identified as predictive of minimal likelihood of benefit from the addition of cetuximab in various colorectal clinical settings.

British Journal of Cancer

Also, the node distribution for both the compound graph and the reaction graph in both E. coli and APS had no significant match to the power law, as determined by the minimal likelihood method (Table 1).

BMC Systems Biology

The intention of the provision is that the level of risk 'is more than a minimal or trivial likelihood of risk, without requiring the decision-maker to prove that it amounts to a significant risk' (Explanatory Memorandum, 2014, 11).

Comparative Migration Studies

Based on both a minimal Akaike criterion and the likelihood ratio test significant at level α = 6 × 10-4, the multiple logistic regressions identified 17 markers correlated with at least one of the 6 explanatory variable tested (Table 3).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The official impact assessment adds that the published evidence shows that making sentences more severe only has a minimal impact as a deterrent and that increasing the likelihood of being caught is actually more effective.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minimal likelihood", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being assessed for its low probability. For instance, specify the event or outcome in question to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a minimal likelihood" when the situation is actually impossible. "Minimal likelihood" implies a small chance, not a zero chance. If something cannot happen, use stronger terms like "no chance" or "impossible".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minimal likelihood" functions as a noun phrase that describes the degree of probability of an event. It's used to express that something is unlikely to happen. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability and utility of this expression in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a minimal likelihood" is a grammatically sound and functionally clear way to express a low degree of probability. As Ludwig highlights, it is appropriate to describe scenarios where the possibility of an event is small but not entirely absent. It appears across various authoritative sources, including scientific journals and news outlets, although its frequency is relatively uncommon. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what specific event is being qualified as having a low likelihood. Remember that minimal likelihood indicates a small chance, not impossibility. By considering these guidelines, you can use "a minimal likelihood" with accuracy and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a very low probability

Emphasizes the low degree of probability, replacing "minimal likelihood" with more direct probabilistic language.

a slight chance

Focuses on the possibility, however small, of something occurring, differing from likelihood by highlighting possibility over probability.

a remote possibility

Stresses the distance or unlikelihood of the event, adding a sense of remoteness not explicitly present in the original phrase.

a negligible probability

Indicates the probability is so small it can be disregarded, which is a stronger statement than "minimal".

a slim chance

Suggests a thin or weak possibility, emphasizing the frailty of the chance.

a reduced likelihood

Highlights that the likelihood has decreased, introducing a dynamic aspect of change.

a scarce possibility

Suggests the possibility is rare or hard to find, shifting the emphasis to the scarcity of the event.

an insignificant chance

Similar to negligible, this denotes the chance as unimportant or trivial, carrying a dismissive tone.

a trivial likelihood

Indicates the likelihood is so small as to be unimportant or inconsequential.

a faint hope

Replaces the neutral term likelihood with the more emotionally charged word hope, which can introduce subjectivity.

FAQs

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

Use "a minimal likelihood" to describe events or outcomes that have a very low probability of occurring. For example, "There is "a minimal likelihood" of rain tonight".

What phrases are similar to "a minimal likelihood"?

Alternatives include "a very low probability", "a slight chance", or "a remote possibility", each emphasizing the unlikelihood of an event.

Is it better to say "a minimal likelihood" or "a low likelihood"?

"A minimal likelihood" and "a low likelihood" are similar, but "minimal" suggests an even smaller degree of probability than "low". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "a likelihood" and "a minimal likelihood"?

"A likelihood" refers to the general possibility of something happening. "A minimal likelihood" specifies that the possibility is very small. The addition of "minimal" emphasizes the low degree of probability.