about as likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about as likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a comparison of probability or likelihood between two events or situations. Example: "Winning the lottery is about as likely as being struck by lightning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were about as likely to find a mentor.

The New York Times - Health

It seems about as likely as Sinatra in Sumatra.

The New York Times

That is about as likely as Snow descending on Dubai.

The Economist

— about as likely as to have a Fellini actress named Beatrice Portinari.

The New Yorker

It is about as likely as Nigel Mansell or Damon Hill staging a comeback.

The Guardian - Sport

For non-football fans, this scenario is about as likely as Donald Trump being made president.

The Guardian - Sport

But that's about as likely as giving Osama bin Laden a posthumous Purple Heart.

The Guardian - Film

Well, it was about as likely as my becoming a Democrat.

The New York Times

Six years ago, 3D cinema seemed about as likely a candidate for a revival as Odorama.

The Guardian - Film

But that was about as likely to happen as Johnny Rotten becoming king.

Independent

They were about as likely to have a fixed-rate mortgage as the more numerically able.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about as likely" to compare probabilities or chances between two scenarios, making sure the comparison is clear and relatable to the audience. For example: "That outcome is "about as likely" as winning the lottery."

Common error

Avoid using "about as likely" when the probabilities being compared are significantly different. This can mislead the audience and weaken your argument. For example, avoid saying: "Finding a parking spot is "about as likely" as finding a unicorn" if parking is generally available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about as likely" functions as an adverbial phrase used to express a comparison of probability or likelihood between two different events or situations. Ludwig's examples show the phrase being used to draw parallels between scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about as likely" is a versatile and common expression used to compare the probabilities of two different events. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media sources. When writing, make sure to use it when the comparison is appropriate and the probabilities are indeed comparable. Remember to use alternatives like "equally probable" or "just as likely" for variety. With its widespread usage and clear meaning, "about as likely" is a reliable phrase to use in your writing and conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally probable

Emphasizes the equal chance of something happening.

just as likely

Highlights the similarity in probability.

virtually identical in likelihood

Stresses the almost perfect match in probability.

comparable in probability

Focuses on the comparability of the chances.

of similar probability

Uses a more formal tone to convey similar likelihood.

on par in terms of likelihood

Implies that the likelihoods are at the same level.

in the same ballpark of likelihood

Uses an idiom to suggest the probabilities are close.

roughly equivalent in chance

Emphasizes the rough equivalence in the chances.

almost as probable

Suggests a very close probability, nearly identical.

nearly as plausible

Shifts focus slightly to plausibility while maintaining similar probability.

FAQs

How can I use "about as likely" in a sentence?

Use "about as likely" to compare the probability of two events. For example, "His chances of winning are "about as likely" as mine."

What phrases are similar to "about as likely"?

Similar phrases include "equally probable", "just as likely", or "comparable in probability". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Is it correct to say "as likely as" instead of "about as likely"?

Yes, "as likely as" is also correct. "About as likely" simply adds a degree of approximation. For instance, both "It's as likely to rain" and "It's "about as likely" to rain" are grammatically sound.

When should I use "about as likely" versus other comparison phrases?

Use "about as likely" when you want to indicate that two events have roughly the same chance of occurring. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "comparable in probability".