appears improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a situation or event occurring. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it appears improbable that the theory will hold true."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But it appears improbable.

The Economist

A deal between the Raptors and the Cavaliers appears improbable.

The New York Times

At this point, impeachment of enough MPs to trigger dissolution of the house appears improbable.

The Economist

With Europe and Russia having slipped down on the Pentagon's priority list, a new Cuban missile crisis appears improbable.

The New York Times

The idea that Moussaoui met with a Saudi diplomat in Kandahar is just about feasible, though a discussion with one about a plan to fire stingers at Air Force One in Washington appears improbable.

The Guardian

In the past, social systems have lacked the technical sophistication to sustain life beyond rudimentary levels, and there has been little practical speculation about what appears improbable.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

This season it appeared improbable.

The New York Times - Sports

If UN sanctions appear improbable, military action is even more so.

The Guardian - Opinion

The immense distance between the two ends of the continent makes an ancient African exchange system appear improbable.

The Economist

While Mr. Cutler loved food, his true expertise lay both in devising appealing concepts for restaurants and in selecting sites that might appear improbable.

The New York Times

As in Indiana, many of the students' scores had dipped sharply from the previous year -- so steeply and uniformly as to appear improbable, Mr. Tobias thought.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears improbable" when you want to convey a sense of educated skepticism, rather than outright dismissal. It acknowledges the possibility, however slim, that something could occur.

Common error

Avoid using "appears improbable" when you intend to express complete certainty. In cases where an outcome is definitively impossible, a stronger phrase like "is impossible" or "cannot occur" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears improbable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a situation or event to indicate a low likelihood of occurrence. As shown in the Ludwig examples, the word group expresses an assessment of probability based on available information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appears improbable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a low degree of likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable and applicable across various contexts, especially in science and news media, to convey reasoned skepticism. When using the phrase, remember to consider the context and purpose to ensure that it accurately reflects the intended level of doubt, and be cautious about overstating certainty. The phrase strikes a balance between acknowledging possibility and expressing doubt. The most common authoritative sources using this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems unlikely

A more general and less formal way of expressing doubt.

is not likely

A straightforward way to state that something probably won't happen.

seems doubtful

Emphasizes the uncertainty or lack of confidence in something happening.

is questionable

Highlights the validity or truth of something being uncertain.

is dubious

Suggests a stronger sense of skepticism or suspicion.

is far-fetched

Implies that something is unrealistic or difficult to believe.

is a long shot

Indicates a low probability of success.

is against the odds

Suggests that success would be contrary to what is expected.

is against all expectations

Emphasizes that the outcome would be surprising or unexpected.

defies expectation

Highlights the surprising nature of the outcome.

FAQs

How to use "appears improbable" in a sentence?

You can use "appears improbable" to express that something is unlikely but not impossible. For example, "It "appears improbable" that the team will win, given their current losing streak".

What can I say instead of "appears improbable"?

You can use alternatives like "seems unlikely", "seems doubtful", or "is questionable" depending on the context. These alternatives offer similar meanings but may vary in formality or emphasis. Example: It "seems unlikely"/ "seems doubtful"/ "is questionable".

Is "appears improbable" formal or informal?

"Appears improbable" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. It's suitable for academic, news, and professional contexts. In very casual settings, "seems unlikely" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "appears improbable" and "is impossible"?

"Appears improbable" suggests a low probability but acknowledges the possibility, however slim, that something could occur. "Is impossible" indicates that something cannot happen under any circumstances. "Appears improbable" conveys less certainty than "is impossible".