are unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are unlikely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a low probability or expectation of something happening. Example: "Given the current circumstances, they are unlikely to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both are unlikely.

The New York Times

But both are unlikely.

The Economist

Still others are unlikely.

The New Yorker

They are unlikely to listen.

The Economist

Politicians are unlikely to dare.

The Economist

All those outcomes are unlikely.

The New York Times

Voters are unlikely to follow.

The Economist

They are unlikely to succeed.

The Economist

But both developments are unlikely.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both, though true, are unlikely.

The Economist

Queues are unlikely, though.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "are unlikely" with qualifying adverbs like 'highly', 'very', or 'extremely' to add emphasis or nuance to the statement's degree of improbability.

Common error

Avoid using "are unlikely" when describing situations that are definitively impossible or certain. "Are unlikely" suggests a low probability, not an impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are unlikely" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It typically modifies a subject, expressing a low probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are unlikely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote a low probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is usable in many contexts. It is commonly found in news, media, and formal writing. To enhance clarity, avoid using it in situations of absolute certainty or impossibility. Instead, consider using alternatives like "are improbable" or "are not expected" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are improbable

Replaces 'unlikely' with a direct synonym, focusing on the low probability of occurrence.

are doubtful

Suggests uncertainty about whether something will happen, similar to 'unlikely'.

are not expected

Emphasizes that something is not anticipated or predicted to occur.

have a low probability

Focuses on the statistical aspect, indicating a reduced chance of something happening.

are not anticipated

Highlights the lack of expectation for something to occur.

are far from certain

Indicates significant doubt or uncertainty about a future event.

are questionable

Suggests that the possibility of something happening is dubious or open to doubt.

are a long shot

Implies that something has a very small chance of success.

are against the odds

Highlights that the chances of success are slim.

do not stand a good chance

Expresses that something is unlikely to succeed or happen as desired.

FAQs

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

Use "are unlikely" to suggest that something is improbable. For example, "Given the weather conditions, outdoor events "are unlikely" to proceed as scheduled."

What are some alternatives to "are unlikely"?

You can use phrases like "are improbable", "are doubtful", or "are not expected" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "are unlikely" or "is unlikely"?

Use "are unlikely" with plural subjects (e.g., "Those outcomes are unlikely"), and "is unlikely" with singular subjects (e.g., "That outcome is unlikely").

What's the difference between "are unlikely" and "are impossible"?

"Are unlikely" indicates a low probability, while "are impossible" means something cannot happen under any circumstances. For instance, "They "are unlikely" to win" suggests a low chance of winning, whereas "They are impossible to defeat" implies unbeatable strength.