balance of probabilities

USAGE SUMMARY

"balance of probabilities" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when trying to prove an event or occurrence is more likely than not to have taken place. For example: "The judge decided in favour of the plaintiff on the basis of the balance of probabilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the balance of probabilities, it was probably about the weather.

The Guardian - Sport

Decisions in the family courts are made on the balance of probabilities; that is, what a judge thinks probably happened.

The Guardian - Opinion

Each ball affects the balance of probabilities.

The Guardian - Sport

On the balance of probabilities, I have to suspect wrongly.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was cleared on the balance of probabilities.

The Guardian

But on the balance of probabilities, maybe not.

The Guardian - Sport

The employee has to prove discrimination by the employer "on the balance of probabilities".

The Guardian

She was, therefore, "satisfied that on the balance of probabilities that Gareth was killed unlawfully".

The Guardian

The case foundered on "the balance of probabilities".

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

The standard of proof is criminal (beyond reasonable doubt) or civil (on a balance of probabilities).

The Guardian

On the balance of probabilities, A1 β-casein may be a causal factor.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "balance of probabilities", ensure you can clearly articulate what evidence supports the proposition being more likely than not. Provide specific examples or data to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting conclusions based on the "balance of probabilities" as absolute truths. Acknowledge that this standard implies a higher likelihood, not a guarantee, of the event having occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "balance of probabilities" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a preposition (e.g., 'on the balance of probabilities') or as a subject complement. It denotes a standard of proof where a proposition is more likely true than not. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "balance of probabilities" is a common noun phrase primarily used in legal and formal contexts to indicate that something is more likely to be true than not. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves as a crucial concept in decision-making when absolute certainty is unattainable. While alternatives like "more likely than not" exist, "balance of probabilities" maintains a specific weight in professional and legal discourse. Remember to provide explicit evidence when using this phrase to strengthen your argument, avoiding the temptation to overstate any conclusion as an absolute truth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preponderance of the evidence

Replaces "balance" with "preponderance", focusing on the greater weight of evidence.

more likely than not

Uses a more direct and informal expression of probability.

greater weight of evidence

Highlights the comparative weight of supporting information.

on the strength of the evidence

Shifts the focus to the supporting power of the evidence itself.

more probable than not

Emphasizes the higher likelihood of an event occurring.

the odds are in favor of

Uses a more casual idiom to suggest a higher probability.

it is more plausible that

Focuses on the believability and reasonableness of a scenario.

the evidence suggests

Downplays certainty and highlights what the evidence indicates.

the prevailing view is that

Introduces the idea of a generally accepted but potentially unproven perspective.

the likelihood is high that

Directly states a high chance of something happening.

FAQs

How is "balance of probabilities" used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "balance of probabilities" is the standard of proof in civil cases, meaning the party with the most convincing evidence wins. This differs from the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard used in criminal cases.

What's a simpler way to express "balance of probabilities"?

Alternatives include "more likely than not" or "greater weight of evidence", which convey the same general idea but may be more easily understood.

How does "balance of probabilities" differ from "beyond a reasonable doubt"?

"Balance of probabilities" requires only that something is more likely to be true than not, while "beyond a reasonable doubt" requires near certainty. The latter is a much higher standard of proof.

Can I use "balance of probabilities" outside of legal contexts?

Yes, though it's most common in legal and formal settings. You can use it to describe any situation where you're assessing the likelihood of different outcomes based on available evidence, but using a phrase such as "it is more plausible that" could make your intent more clear.