be equally likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be equally likely to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing probabilities or chances of different outcomes occurring in a given situation. Example: "In this experiment, the two outcomes are designed to be equally likely to occur, ensuring a fair test."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Both would be equally likely to plan a birthday party or know that the car needs oil or miss work for a sick child or remember (without prompting) to stop at the store for diapers and milk.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The Government does need to help prevent terrorism, but this scheme suggests it is only Muslims who will become radicalised when people of any religion, or of no religion, may be equally likely to do so.

Independent

However, this same fish in a cave would be equally likely to reproduce and pass on the genes for impaired vision as its eyed counterparts living in complete darkness.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

On the contrary in Wikipedia, a platform where users editing the same articles are brought to discuss and pursue consensus, partisan users were observed to be equally likely to interact with others supporting the same or the opposite party [48].

Computational Social Networks

(1) Will small plates be mostly associated with continental transform faults, or with continental AND oceanic transform faults, or some other type of plate boundary, or will they be equally likely to be found on all types of plate boundary?

Earth, Planets and Space

The other monitored complications were felt to be equally likely to occur between the two groups as they are more related to the procedure and independent of the physiology.

Annals of Intensive Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

But now, the riposte is equally likely to be an overwhelming YAWNZ.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We have been equally likely to be short bonds or long bonds," he said.

The New Yorker

He may do that, but he is equally likely to do something else and never return".

The New York Times - Books

For example, her research shows there is no gender split; men and women are equally likely to be asexual.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is equally likely to occur in either gender [1].

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing probabilities in research or reports, use "be equally likely to" to clearly indicate that different outcomes have the same chance of occurring.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because two events "be equally likely to" occur, one causes the other. Correlation does not equal causation; further investigation is needed to establish a causal relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be equally likely to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating equal probability or chance among different possibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules and is widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be equally likely to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verbal phrase to express that different outcomes have the same probability. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is well-regarded and suitable for various contexts, especially in scientific research, news reports, and general explanations. While versatile, it's important to avoid confusing correlation with causation when using it. Considering reliable sources, the phrase is indeed a valuable asset in formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have an equal chance of

Replaces "likely" with "chance" and uses a possessive structure.

be just as probable

Substitutes "likely" with "probable" and uses "just as" for emphasis.

be equally probable

Substitutes "likely" with "probable", making it a more formal equivalent.

have the same likelihood

Replaces "likely" with the noun form "likelihood" and uses "same" to indicate equality.

stand an equal chance

Uses "stand a chance" idiomatically to convey probability.

be as likely as each other

Emphasizes the mutual equality of likelihood between two or more possibilities.

be on par in terms of probability

Introduces a more descriptive and analytical tone.

be equally susceptible to

Focuses on vulnerability or openness to influence, adding a nuance of exposure.

be balanced in probability

Highlights the equilibrium or balance in the probabilities of different events.

share the same odds

Uses "odds" to quantify probability, suggesting a comparison of chances.

FAQs

How can I use "be equally likely to" in a sentence?

Use "be equally likely to" when you want to express that two or more outcomes have the same probability of occurring. For example: "In a fair coin toss, heads and tails "are equally likely to" appear".

What are some alternatives to "be equally likely to"?

You can use alternatives such as "have an equal chance of", "be just as probable", or "have the same likelihood" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "are equally likely to"?

Yes, "are equally likely to" is grammatically correct when referring to multiple subjects or outcomes. The verb "are" agrees with the plural subject, indicating that several items share the same probability.

What's the difference between "be equally likely to" and "be more likely to"?

"Be equally likely to" indicates that outcomes have the same probability, while "be more likely to" suggests that one outcome has a higher probability than another. For example: "Winning the lottery is not equally likely to losing money."