assess the likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assess the likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when evaluating the probability or chance of a particular event or outcome occurring. Example: "Before making a decision, we need to assess the likelihood of success for each option available to us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is all about the police need to assess the likelihood of future offending.

The Guardian

"That makes it more challenging to accurately assess the likelihood of temperature records.

The Guardian

"Hell, Rick," Mr. Hill told his comrade, when asked to assess the likelihood of a second attack there.

The New York Times - Books

Nuclear regulators will need to assess the likelihood of that sequence and find ways to mitigate the consequences.

The New York Times

He says that a special financial model created to assess the likelihood of an L.B.O.

The New York Times

My favorite rendering is the gray-scale Sleep Probability Spectrum, which tries to assess the likelihood of Trixie's being asleep at a particular time of day.

The New York Times - Tech

All pregnant women are currently offered an ultrasound scan and blood test to assess the likelihood that their child may have Down's.

The Guardian

This is in the interests of preventing fraud, but they also use it to assess the likelihood someone will claim in future.

The Guardian - Money

Health officials were somewhat divided yesterday when asked to assess the likelihood that the virus would result in human infections this year.

The New York Times

Lorna B. Goodman, a spokeswoman for Michael D. Hess, the corporation counsel, said the city has not sued gun manufacturers because it is still trying to assess the likelihood of winning such a case.

The New York Times

Given your focus on business, though, you do not assess the likelihood that governments will do what is required of them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific or technical contexts, pair "assess the likelihood" with specific data or models to enhance credibility and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "assess the likelihood" when certainty is known or implied. Ensure that you are dealing with a situation where the outcome is genuinely uncertain and requires evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assess the likelihood" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of evaluating or estimating the probability of a particular event or outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "assess the likelihood" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for evaluating the probability of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread application. It is particularly common in scientific and news contexts, as highlighted by the numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While formal, it serves the crucial purpose of providing objective evaluations for decision-making. For alternative expressions, consider options like "evaluate the probability" or "determine the chances", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evaluate the probability

Replaces "assess" with "evaluate", focusing on the mathematical aspect of likelihood.

estimate the probability

Substitutes "assess" with "estimate", highlighting an approximate calculation.

analyze the probability

Replaces "assess" with "analyze", focusing on a detailed examination of the probability.

calculate the likelihood

Replaces "assess" with "calculate", emphasizing a more precise, mathematical approach.

determine the chances

Uses "determine" instead of "assess" and "chances" instead of "likelihood", making it more informal.

weigh the likelihood

Employs "weigh" to suggest a careful consideration of the likelihood.

judge the probability

Uses "judge" instead of "assess", focusing on a subjective evaluation of probability.

gauge the odds

Employs "gauge" and "odds" for a slightly more informal and speculative tone.

figure out the odds

Uses "figure out" and "odds" for a more casual and practical connotation.

ascertain the possibility

Replaces "assess the likelihood" with "ascertain the possibility", focusing on whether something could happen rather than its probability.

FAQs

How can I use "assess the likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "assess the likelihood" when you want to evaluate the probability or chance of something happening. For example: "We need to assess the likelihood of project failure before committing resources."

What can I say instead of "assess the likelihood"?

You can use alternatives like "evaluate the probability", "determine the chances", or "gauge the odds" depending on the context.

Is "assess the likelihood" formal or informal?

"Assess the likelihood" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or technical contexts. More informal alternatives include "figure out the odds" or "determine the chances".

What's the difference between "assess the likelihood" and "assess the risk"?

"Assess the likelihood" focuses on the probability of an event occurring, while "assess the risk" involves evaluating both the probability of an event and its potential negative consequences.