almost certainly not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost certainly not" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something is highly unlikely. For example: "I almost certainly won't be able to make it to the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

No, almost certainly not.

The New York Times

"Tigers?" "Almost certainly not".

The New York Times

"It's almost certainly not obscene.

The New York Times

By itself, almost certainly not.

The New Yorker

Again, almost certainly not.

The Guardian

Almost certainly not annoyance.

The New York Times - Arts

And almost certainly not just one newsroom.

The Economist

He is almost certainly not guilty.

The New York Times

Things are almost certainly not that bad.

The Economist

Its contents are almost certainly not original.

Independent

In truth, almost certainly not.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost certainly not" to convey a strong sense of improbability without completely ruling out the possibility. It's suitable when you want to express a high degree of skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "almost certainly not" when the outcome is definitively impossible. The phrase implies a slight chance, so reserve it for situations where there is a very small, albeit unlikely, possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost certainly not" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically expressing a high degree of improbability or negation. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate that something is highly unlikely to occur, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost certainly not" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express a strong sense of improbability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "very unlikely" or "highly improbable" exist, "almost certainly not" offers a nuanced way to convey doubt without completely dismissing a possibility. Remember to use it when you want to temper expectations and avoid overstating the impossibility of an event. Use it to imply there is still an albeit very slim chance of something happening, but that you remain highly doubtful of its materialization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost assuredly not

Emphasizes confidence in the negative outcome.

very unlikely

A more direct and common way to express low probability.

highly improbable

A more formal and emphatic way of saying unlikely.

definitely not

Indicates a firm negation with no room for doubt.

not likely

A straightforward expression of low probability.

scarcely possible

Highlights the difficulty or near impossibility of something happening.

virtually impossible

Expresses a very high degree of improbability, close to impossibility.

hardly

A concise way to express that something is not the case or is unlikely.

by no means

Indicates a strong rejection or denial of something.

I doubt it

Expresses personal skepticism about the likelihood of something.

FAQs

How can I use "almost certainly not" in a sentence?

Use "almost certainly not" to express a high degree of doubt or improbability about a future event or a current situation. For example, "They will "almost certainly not" make the playoffs this year."

What phrases can I use instead of "almost certainly not"?

Alternatives include "very unlikely", "highly improbable", or "not likely". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "almost certainly not" the same as "certainly not"?

No, "almost certainly not" implies a very slight chance, while "certainly not" indicates absolute certainty. Using "almost" softens the statement, suggesting that there's a minimal possibility, however unlikely.

When is it appropriate to use "almost certainly not" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to express a strong belief that something will not happen, but you cannot say with absolute certainty. It's useful in scenarios where you want to acknowledge a slight chance, however improbable.