as likely as

USAGE SUMMARY

'as likely as' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to compare two things and indicate that they are equally likely. For example, "It is as likely as not that I will pass the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That result seems as likely as any other.

The New Yorker

It seems about as likely as Sinatra in Sumatra.

The New York Times

Then preposterous theories become just as likely as rational ones.

The New Yorker

Men were twice as likely as women to experience symptoms.

Independent

That is about as likely as Snow descending on Dubai.

The Economist

Female doctors are twice as likely as the general population to take our own lives.

The Guardian

"Disabled people are twice as likely as the general public to be unemployed.

The Guardian

Boys are four times as likely as girls to have the disorder.

The New York Times - Science

According to Totes research, women are three times as likely as men to purchase umbrellas.

The New York Times

So dog harnesses from now on (as likely as doggy sick bags, I expect).

The Guardian - Tech

— about as likely as to have a Fellini actress named Beatrice Portinari.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as likely as" in comparisons, ensure that the elements being compared are grammatically parallel. For example, instead of saying 'Running is as likely as to walk', say 'Running is as likely as walking'.

Common error

Avoid illogical comparisons. For example, instead of saying 'His success is as likely as winning the lottery', which implies comparing success to winning, specify 'His success is as likely as someone winning the lottery', comparing the likelihood of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as likely as" functions as a comparative, indicating that two events or possibilities have an equal probability of occurring. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in comparing likelihoods across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as likely as" is a versatile comparative used to express equal probability between two possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure grammatical parallelism and avoid illogical comparisons. Alternative phrases such as "equally probable" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in formality or emphasis. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "as likely as" to convey accurate and balanced assessments of probability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally probable

Focuses on the equal probability of two events, more formal.

just as possible

Emphasizes the possibility aspect, slightly less formal.

comparably plausible

Highlights the plausibility of two scenarios, more formal and academic.

of similar likelihood

Rephrases likelihood in a more formal manner.

virtually identical chance

Indicates almost the same chance, adds a sense of precision.

a toss-up

Informal, implies an even chance between two options.

neck and neck

Suggests that two possibilities are very close in terms of probability or success, often used in competitive contexts.

fifty-fifty chance

Specifically denotes a 50% probability.

on a par with

Implies equality in terms of probability or quality.

akin in probability

More formal, highlights the similarity in probability.

FAQs

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

Use "as likely as" to compare the probability of two events. For example, "Getting the promotion is "as likely as" winning the lottery" or "It's "as likely as" not that it will rain tomorrow".

What can I say instead of "as likely as"?

You can use alternatives like "equally probable", "just as possible", or "comparably plausible" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "as likely as" or "as likely that"?

"As likely as" is the correct phrase for comparing probabilities. "As likely that" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Use "as likely as" followed by the item you are comparing the likelihood to.

What's the difference between "as likely as" and "more likely than"?

"As likely as" indicates that two things have an equal chance of occurring. "More likely than" indicates that one thing has a greater chance of occurring compared to another.