a very high likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

"a very high likelihood" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use "a very high likelihood" to describe a situation or event that is highly probable or likely to happen in the future. It indicates a strong possibility of something occurring. Example: There is a very high likelihood that the company will experience significant growth in the next quarter due to their successful marketing campaign.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"And there's a very high likelihood that they'd prohibit me from riding in the Tour.

The New York Times - Sports

Pressed hard, no one thought there was a very high likelihood that he would follow any of these courses of action.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's a very high likelihood that, yes, several years of very healthy and well-balanced economic growth in the city are probably behind us," Mr. Braconi said.

The New York Times

I think if the president were to decide to go there's a very high likelihood that the United Kingdom would be with us".

The Guardian

Because the risks associated with reproductive cloning in humans introduce a very high likelihood of loss of life, the process is considered unethical.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Scientists are looking at genetic patterns that may predispose us, but it's a far more complicated business than finding the big single breast cancer genes BRCA 1 and 2, which give some women a very high likelihood of the disease.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"He is an excellent candidate for a variety of different treatment options and has a very, very high likelihood of cure with any".

The New York Times

The three symbionts constitute distinct lineages within the gamma-Proteobacteria. (iii) Blochmannia is positioned within a diverse, strictly endosymbiotic bacterial group and is reconstructed with very high likelihood to have originated from an endosymbiotic ancestor.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

You give up the chance of hitting a hole-in-one but avoid the very high likelihood of landing in the pond.

The New York Times

Note that a Wild Card has by definition low likelihood, hence attributing "medium" to "very high" likelihood means that strictly speaking the described event is NOT a Wild Card.

European Journal of Futures Research

The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of Blochmannia is reconstructed with very high likelihood to be endosymbiotic, with a proportional likelihood of 0.9999 under both Mk1 model and AsymmMk model (expressed as the proportion of the total probability of 1.0).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a very high likelihood", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or outcome is being described as highly probable.

Common error

Avoid using "a very high likelihood" when the situation actually involves complete certainty. The phrase implies a strong probability, not a guaranteed outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very high likelihood" functions as a noun phrase that describes the degree of probability or chance associated with a particular event or outcome. It is used to express a strong expectation that something will occur, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very high likelihood" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong probability or chance of an event occurring. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, appearing frequently in news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While it conveys a strong expectation, it's important to avoid overstating certainty and choose the phrase when a high probability, rather than a guaranteed outcome, is intended. Related phrases like "a strong possibility" and "a great chance" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember to clearly specify the event being described as highly probable for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong possibility

Focuses on the potential for something to occur.

a high probability

Emphasizes the statistical chance of an event happening.

a great chance

Indicates a favorable opportunity or prospect.

a considerable likelihood

Highlights the substantial degree of probability.

a significant probability

Stresses the importance or impact of the potential occurrence.

a distinct possibility

Suggests a clear and definite chance of something happening.

a marked likelihood

Emphasizes the noticeable or evident nature of the probability.

a substantial chance

Highlights the considerable amount of opportunity for something to happen.

a realistic possibility

Conveys that something is likely to happen in practice.

a credible likelihood

Indicates that the probability is believable or trustworthy.

FAQs

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

You can use "a very high likelihood" to describe a situation with a strong probability of occurring. For example, "There is "a very high likelihood" that the project will be successful given the team's expertise".

What's the difference between "a high probability" and "a very high likelihood"?

While both phrases express a strong chance of something occurring, "a high probability" often implies a more statistical or quantifiable assessment, whereas "a very high likelihood" suggests a more general and intuitive sense of strong possibility.

What can I say instead of "a very high likelihood"?

You can use alternatives like "a strong possibility", "a great chance", or "a distinct possibility" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a very high likelihood" in formal writing?

Yes, "a very high likelihood" is suitable for formal writing, including academic papers, business reports, and news articles. It's a clear and professional way to express a strong probability.