a substantial probability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial probability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate a significant likelihood of an event occurring. Example: "There is a substantial probability that the project will be completed ahead of schedule, given the current progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The Bush team "has a substantial probability of success," he said.

The New York Times

The maximum penalty for a violation that causes a "substantial probability of death — or serious physical harm" is $7,000.

The New York Times

Based on this overall balancing, this Court finds a substantial probability that Green Products will prevail on the merits.

Harvard University

Those violations were classified as serious, meaning that there was "a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result," university officials said.

The New York Times

The governor's plan would allow caregivers to commit people if they believe there is a "substantial probability" of harm.

The New York Times

(g Significant risk to the deposit insurance fund means a substantial probability that any Federal deposit insurance fund could suffer a loss.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Doctors for both parties agreed a transfusion in substantial probability would have saved Doreen Shorter's life.

Harvard University

However, DBF is equal to ~1.0 if only a single pose has substantial probability, even if many poses with a probability >0 exist.

BioMed Research International

A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known".

Vice

However, in case of a sparse training set, the most substantial probability would be for staying in the same state.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

For the divergence time τS, we used a log-uniform prior, thus assigning substantial probability to recent post-glaciation divergence while still allowing for more ancient divergent times.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial probability", ensure that the context provides enough evidence or reasoning to support the claim, enhancing credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial probability" when the evidence is weak or speculative. Overstating the likelihood can mislead your audience and damage your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial probability" functions as a noun phrase, indicating a notable degree of likelihood or chance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used. It quantifies the likelihood of an event occurring.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

40%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial probability" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase indicating a significant likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic sources, this phrase conveys a notable degree of possibility. Alternatives such as "a significant likelihood" or "a considerable chance" offer similar meanings but may subtly shift the tone. When employing this phrase, ensure sufficient evidence supports the claim to maintain credibility, and avoid overstating likelihood based on weak speculation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant likelihood

Replaces 'probability' with 'likelihood' while maintaining the same level of significance.

a considerable chance

Substitutes 'substantial probability' with 'considerable chance', conveying a similar degree of possibility.

a high likelihood

Uses 'high' instead of 'substantial', slightly emphasizing the degree of likelihood.

a strong possibility

Replaces 'probability' with 'possibility' and 'substantial' with 'strong', altering the phrase's tone slightly.

a good prospect

Emphasizes the positive aspect of the probability, focusing on potential favorable outcomes.

a notable chance

Substitutes 'substantial' with 'notable', indicating that the chance is worthy of attention.

an appreciable likelihood

Replaces 'substantial' with 'appreciable', suggesting a noticeable or measurable likelihood.

a realistic possibility

Focuses on the feasibility of the probability, suggesting it's grounded in reality.

a marked probability

Uses 'marked' to highlight the distinctiveness or prominence of the probability.

a tangible prospect

Similar to "a good prospect", but emphasizes that the possibility is real and concrete.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial probability" in a sentence?

You can use "a substantial probability" to indicate a significant likelihood of something occurring. For example, "There is "a substantial probability" that the new policy will improve efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "a substantial probability"?

Alternatives include "a significant likelihood", "a considerable chance", or "a strong possibility". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "substantial probability" or "high probability"?

Both "substantial probability" and "high probability" are acceptable. "Substantial" suggests a considerable or significant degree, while "high" simply indicates a greater-than-average level. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What does "substantial probability" mean in a legal context?

In legal contexts, "substantial probability" often refers to a significant likelihood that something will occur, enough to warrant taking action or making a judgment. It's a higher threshold than a mere possibility but less certain than a certainty.