a positive likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a positive likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to probability, statistics, or assessments where a favorable outcome is being discussed. Example: "The study showed a positive likelihood of success for the new treatment based on the initial trials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In view of this possibility, it becomes a positive likelihood that for the next generation they will be the only frame of reference.

The New Yorker

The sensitivity and specificity of the scoring system were 78.5 and 70%%, respectively, with a positive likelihood ratio of 2.61 and negative likelihood ratio of 0.31, respectively (Table 2).

Annals of Intensive Care

During the nociceptive exposure, the CPOT had a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 78%, a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 3.87 (1.63–9.23), and a negative LR (LR−) of 0.18 (0.09–0.33) and was effective for the screening of pain.

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

In a study of emergency department patients with sepsis, Nagdev et al. found that a CI greater than 50% had a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 94% for detecting a CVP <8 mm Hg, with a positive likelihood ratio of 15.5 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.1 [85].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The optimal cut off of CSF/blood glucose ratio calculated from a bed-side glucometer was 0.46 with a sensibility of 94.1% [95% CI 71.3 99.9%], a specificity of 91%[95%% CI 85.3 95%] and a positive likelihood ratio of 10.

Annals of Intensive Care

The optimal threshold after bootstrapping was ≥ 14 points; this yielded a sensitivity of 85.4%, a specificity of 94.8%, a positive likelihood ratio of 16.42, a negative likelihood ratio of 0.15, a Youden's index of 0.802, and a diagnostic odds ratio of 106.62.

Annals of Intensive Care

Moore et al. found that in patients with suspected ectopic pregnancies on pelvic POCUS, free intraperitoneal fluid found in Morison's pouch could be rapidly identified by POCUS and was predictive of the need for operative management, with a positive likelihood ratio of 112 [264].

Critical Ultrasound Journal

The optimal cut off for the CSF/blood glucose ratio from central laboratory measurements to identify bacterial meningitis was 0.44 with a sensitivity of 94.1% [95% CI 71.3 99.9%], a specificity of 92.3%[955% CI 86.9 95.9%], and a positive likelihood ratio of 12.

Annals of Intensive Care

The expected operating point on the summary ROC (Receiver operating characteristic), a pooled estimate of all studies, corresponded to a sensitivity of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71 0.86), a specificity of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80 0.93), a positive likelihood ratio of 6.5 (95% CI: 4.0 10.7), and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.24 (95% CI: 0.17 0.32).

Plosone

The sensitivity of a clinician decision to initiate TB treatment prior to hospital discharge was 37% 95%% CI 25 50%) and specificity was 81% 95%% CI 73 88%), with a positive likelihood ratio of 1.9 (95% CI 1.2 3.1) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.79 (95% CI 0.64 0.97).

Plosone

It provided a positive likelihood ratio value of 18.0 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.26.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a positive likelihood" to create a professional tone when presenting positive outcomes or potential benefits in formal reports and presentations.

Common error

Avoid using "a positive likelihood" when you want to express absolute certainty. This phrase indicates a probability, not a guarantee. If you mean to convey certainty, use phrases like "it is certain" or "there is no doubt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a positive likelihood" functions as a noun phrase, with "positive" modifying "likelihood". It typically quantifies or qualifies the degree of chance or possibility for a favorable outcome or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a positive likelihood" is a phrase used to express a good chance or favorable prospect, particularly in scientific, medical, and formal contexts. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and frequent usage. Alternatives like "a good probability" or "a strong possibility" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended level of certainty and the specific context, avoiding assumptions of absolute certainty. The phrase is most effectively used to present potential benefits or outcomes based on data, ensuring the tone remains both professional and appropriately optimistic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant likelihood

Replaces "positive" with "significant" to convey a greater emphasis on the magnitude of the likelihood.

a definite probability

Replaces "positive" with "definite" to convey a greater emphasis on the certainty of the probability.

a good probability

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

a strong possibility

Substitutes "likelihood" with "possibility", highlighting the potential for an event to occur.

a favorable prospect

Uses "prospect" instead of "likelihood", suggesting a positive outlook or expectation.

a promising outlook

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive term, emphasizing the favorable nature of the situation.

a hopeful sign

Shifts the focus to the indication of something positive, rather than the probability itself.

a realistic chance

Emphasizes that the likelihood is grounded in reality and not just wishful thinking.

a distinct advantage

Moves away from probability and towards a clear benefit or positive aspect.

a high potential

Focuses on the inherent capacity for something positive to develop or be achieved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a positive likelihood" to describe a situation where there's a good chance of something favorable happening. For example, "There is "a positive likelihood" that the treatment will be effective".

What's a good alternative to "a positive likelihood"?

Alternatives include "a good probability", "a strong possibility", or "a favorable prospect", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "high probability" or "a positive likelihood"?

Both phrases are valid, but "a positive likelihood" often implies a more qualitative assessment of potential success, while "high probability" tends to be used in more quantitative or statistical contexts.

In what contexts is "a positive likelihood" most commonly used?

"A positive likelihood" is frequently used in scientific, medical, and business contexts to describe the potential for favorable outcomes based on available data or assessments.