as improbable as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as improbable as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the likelihood of two events or situations, emphasizing that one is very unlikely, similar to the other. Example: "Winning the lottery is as improbable as finding a needle in a haystack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

History has always struck me as improbable, as improbable as the future, and certainly the history of these sixteen acres seemed less like a comforting eulogy than like an unfinished story of a varied, haphazard, ongoing life.

The New Yorker

Her success is as improbable as it is immense.

The New Yorker

This is not as improbable as it might sound.

The New York Times

Her rise was as improbable as it was inexorable.

The New Yorker

This is not as improbable as many observers believe.

The New York Times

Pompadour's trajectory is nearly as improbable as Napoleon's.

The New Yorker

As improbable as it may seem, this was not the Mets' longest single-game scoring drought.

The New York Times - Sports

Your comeback last year was as improbable as it was impressive.

The New York Times

As improbable as this sounds, Goldfarb based his story on historical events.

The New Yorker

As improbable as it seems, a similar fate may befall the post-9/11 military commissions.

The New York Times - Books

The story of Chanticleer is as improbable as it is impressive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as improbable as", ensure the comparison is understandable to your audience; an obscure comparison will weaken your statement.

Common error

Avoid comparing "apples" and "oranges". The two elements being compared with "as improbable as" should be logically connected, even if they represent drastically different probabilities. For example, saying 'Winning the lottery is as improbable as baking a cake' is illogical because these events are dissimilar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as improbable as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to emphasize the unlikelihood of something by comparing it to another situation that is also highly improbable, creating a vivid comparison. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as improbable as" serves as a potent comparative tool to underscore the unlikelihood of an event or situation. Ludwig AI analysis, along with numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms that the expression is grammatically sound and widely used. It is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. Employ it judiciously to create memorable comparisons, always ensuring that the elements you compare are logically related to maximize the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as unlikely as

Replaces 'improbable' with a direct synonym, 'unlikely', maintaining a similar level of formality and impact.

highly improbable

Emphasizes the improbability by using the adverb 'highly', changing the structure to a simpler adjective phrase.

borders on impossible

Suggests that something is extremely difficult and close to being unachievable.

as doubtful as

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty or lack of confidence in something happening.

appears remote

Highlights the distance or unlikelihood of something occurring.

not very probable

Uses a negative construction to express improbability, softening the tone slightly.

scarcely credible

Focuses on the believability of something, using 'credible' as the key term.

hard to imagine

Highlights the difficulty in conceiving or picturing something happening.

against all odds

Implies that success is achieved despite very low probabilities.

defies expectation

Indicates that something contradicts what one would normally expect.

FAQs

How can I use "as improbable as" in a sentence?

You can use "as improbable as" to compare the likelihood of two events. For example, "His success story is "as improbable as" it is inspiring."

What are some alternatives to "as improbable as"?

Alternatives include "as unlikely as", "highly improbable", or "scarcely credible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "so improbable as" instead of "as improbable as"?

While "so improbable that" is a valid construction, "so improbable as" is less common and can sound awkward. Sticking with ""as improbable as"" is generally preferred for clarity and naturalness.

What is the difference between "as improbable as" and "improbable"?

"Improbable" simply states that something is unlikely. "As improbable as" is comparative, emphasizing the unlikelihood by relating it to another improbable event or situation.