appears unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears unlikely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or skepticism about the probability of a certain event or outcome occurring. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it appears unlikely that the event will take place as scheduled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This appears unlikely.

Independent

That appears unlikely.

The New York Times

That now appears unlikely.

The New York Times

But a postponement appears unlikely.

The New York Times - Sports

That, however, appears unlikely.

The New York Times

It appears unlikely.

The Guardian - Sport

But that appears unlikely.

The New York Times

At this point, that appears unlikely.

The New York Times - Sports

Maintaining the status quo appears unlikely.

The New York Times

Their hope appears unlikely to be answered.

Independent

That would be tidy, but appears unlikely.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears unlikely" to express a tentative judgment about the probability of an event, ensuring your assessment is based on available evidence or reasonable assumptions.

Common error

Avoid using "appears unlikely" when you have definitive evidence against an event. Opt for stronger, more conclusive language if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears unlikely" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment of the probability of an event. Ludwig's examples reveal its use in various contexts, from assessing political scenarios to scientific outcomes. It signals that, based on available information, something is not expected to happen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appears unlikely" is a versatile phrase used to express a cautious assessment of probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, remember to ensure it aligns with available evidence and avoid overstating uncertainty. Consider alternatives like "seems improbable" or "is not expected" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems improbable

Changes the verb to "seems", offering a slightly less formal tone and "improbable" instead of "unlikely".

appears improbable

Substitutes "unlikely" with "improbable", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

seems doubtful

Replaces "unlikely" with "doubtful" providing a nuance of uncertainty.

appears doubtful

Synonymous phrasing, changes "unlikely" with "doubtful" to imply uncertainty.

is probably false

Shifts the focus to the truth value of a related proposition.

is not expected

Emphasizes a lack of anticipation for an event, changing the framing of likelihood.

is deemed improbable

Uses "deemed" to introduce a judgment or assessment of improbability.

is considered questionable

Highlights the uncertainty and doubt surrounding a particular possibility.

is scarcely possible

Implies something is barely or almost not possible, creating a nuance of extreme doubt.

is a remote possibility

Indicates a slim chance of something happening, emphasizing its distance from reality.

FAQs

How can I use "appears unlikely" in a sentence?

You can use "appears unlikely" to express a low probability of something happening, as in "Given the current data, a breakthrough "appears unlikely"".

What phrases are similar to "appears unlikely"?

Alternatives include "seems improbable", "appears doubtful", or "is not expected", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "seems unlikely" or "appears unlikely"?

Both "seems unlikely" and "appears unlikely" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context. Both convey a sense of low probability.

What's the difference between "appears unlikely" and "is unlikely"?

"Appears unlikely" suggests that the improbability is based on current observations or evidence, while "is unlikely" simply states the low probability without necessarily referencing specific supporting information.