an unlikely event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unlikely event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or occurrence that is not expected to happen or is considered improbable. Example: "Winning the lottery is an unlikely event, but some people still dream of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

But an unlikely event was spooling out.

The New York Times - Sports

The wickets made an England victory here an unlikely event.

Independent

"[Tardigrades] render global sterilisation an unlikely event," concluded the paper.

The Guardian

Deriving reliable empirical results from a single experiment is an unlikely event.

Journal of Systems and Software

Nonetheless, she wrote, "we continue to view it as an unlikely event in the short term".

The New York Times

He called entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame an "unlikely event".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Following the theory of large deviations, replication and translation emerged as an exponentially unlikely event in proportion to its deviation from a suitable equilibrium ground state.

Biology Direct

While any battery can fail, he said, "it's an extremely unlikely event".

The New York Times

And on this point Taleb overgeneralizes, for instance scoffing that the collapse of the Soviet Union was an unfathomably unlikely event that "no social scientist saw coming".

The New York Times - Books

The double-ended-guillotine break (DEGB) criterion of the largest primary piping system in the plant, which generally provides the limiting condition for the emergency core cooling system requirements, is widely recognized as an extremely unlikely event.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Synthesis of einsteinium from naturally occurring actinides uranium and thorium in the Earth crust requires multiple neutron capture, which is an extremely unlikely event.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unlikely event" to temper expectations or to describe scenarios that deviate from the norm. It's particularly useful in risk assessments and predictive analyses.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the unlikelihood of an event when using this phrase. Ensure the context supports the assertion; otherwise, it might undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unlikely event" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe something with a low probability of happening.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unlikely event" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a situation with a low probability of occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. The phrase appears commonly in news, scientific literature, and academic discussions. While alternatives like "a rare occurrence" or "an improbable situation" exist, the choice depends on the nuances you wish to convey. Remember to use the phrase appropriately, avoiding exaggeration to maintain credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rare occurrence

Emphasizes the infrequency of the event.

an improbable situation

Highlights the low probability of the situation arising.

a remote possibility

Suggests the event is only distantly possible.

a long shot

Indicates a low chance of success or happening.

a slim chance

Highlights the minimal likelihood of the event.

a rare phenomenon

Focuses on the unusual and infrequent nature of the event.

an exceptional circumstance

Highlights the deviation from the norm.

a freak incident

Implies an unexpected and unusual nature, often with negative connotations.

an extraordinary happening

Stresses the exceptional and remarkable characteristic of the event.

against all odds

Implies success or occurrence despite very low probability.

FAQs

How can I use "an unlikely event" in a sentence?

You can use "an unlikely event" to describe a situation that has a low probability of occurring. For example, "While winning the lottery is "an unlikely event", some people still dream of it."

What are some alternatives to saying "an unlikely event"?

Some alternatives include "a rare occurrence", "an improbable situation", or "a remote possibility", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "an unlikely event" or "a highly unlikely event"?

"A highly unlikely event" emphasizes the improbability more strongly than "an unlikely event". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "an unlikely event" and "an unexpected event"?

"An unlikely event" suggests a low probability, whereas "an unexpected event" implies something that was not anticipated, regardless of its probability. An unexpected event could be likely but unforeseen.