becoming less likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming less likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that is increasingly improbable or has a decreasing chance of occurring. Example: "As the weather forecast predicts clearer skies, the chance of rain is becoming less likely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Analysts believe compromise on the so-called sequestration is becoming less likely each day.

The Guardian

However, there is no sign that people are becoming less likely to vote.

The Guardian

It is becoming less likely that China will be able to reach its target of 7% annual GDP growth.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's one reason it is becoming less likely that Mr. Letterman will have guest hosts fill in during his absence.

The New York Times - Arts

But most borrowers routinely roll the loan over into a new one, becoming less likely to ever emerge from the debt.

The New York Times

He pointed to public opinion polls showing supporters of Mrs. Clinton are becoming less likely to support Mr. Obama, and vice versa.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Brian O'Dwyer, Mr. Patz's lawyer, said a criminal indictment of Mr. Ramos was "becoming less and less likely".

The New York Times

In the last two decades, mercy killings and assisted suicide of terminally ill patients have been widely tolerated here, with prosecution for such acts becoming less and less likely.

The New York Times

Unless a new exploit is discovered (and, with each patch, this is becoming less and less likely), any iPhone 3GS to ship after last week will not be jailbreakable.

TechCrunch

And we've gotten so much in the habit of deflecting this tsunami of things and experiences that we are becoming less and less likely to actually retain and internalize any of them.

TechCrunch

So even if a user "likes" your Facebook page, and you count them as a fan, it's becoming less and less likely that they will see your posts at all.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becoming less likely" to describe trends or situations where the probability of an event is decreasing over time. For example, "With each passing day, a peaceful resolution is becoming less likely."

Common error

Avoid using "becoming less likely" when describing a single, static event. Instead, use it for processes that evolve. For example, don't say "The event is becoming less likely today"; instead, say "The event is unlikely to happen today."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming less likely" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a decreasing probability or possibility. It is used to describe how the likelihood of an event or situation is diminishing over time, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becoming less likely" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a decreasing probability. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is appropriate for describing trends or situations where the chance of something happening is diminishing over time. It's frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts. While "unlikely" describes a state of low probability, "becoming less likely" describes a shift, a trend of decreasing probability. To enhance your writing, avoid using it for static events, and consider synonyms like "diminishing in likelihood" or "growing less probable" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminishing in likelihood

Employs "likelihood" to replace "likely", signifying a reducing prospect.

decreasing in probability

Replaces "likely" with a more formal synonym "probability", indicating a diminishing chance of occurrence.

descending in probability

Indicates a downward trend in the chance of something happening.

becoming more improbable

Substitutes "likely" with its antonym "improbable", and adjust the expression to communicate a similar meaning.

growing less possible

Replaces "likely" with "possible", indicating something is gradually losing possibility.

dwindling in chance

Suggests a gradual reduction in the opportunity or possibility of something occurring.

fading in prospect

Uses a more figurative approach, indicating that something is losing its potential or future viability.

waning in expectation

Suggests that the expectation of something happening is reducing or fading away.

approaching impossibility

Conveys that something is gradually moving towards becoming impossible.

receding into the distance

This is a more metaphorical expression suggesting something is moving further away from realization.

FAQs

How can I use "becoming less likely" in a sentence?

You can use "becoming less likely" to describe a trend or event whose probability is decreasing over time. For example: "Due to new evidence, a conviction is "becoming less likely"."

What's a good substitute for "becoming less likely"?

Alternatives include "growing less probable", "increasingly unlikely", or "diminishing in likelihood". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "become less likely" instead of "becoming less likely"?

"Become less likely" describes a completed shift, while ""becoming less likely"" describes an ongoing trend. Choose the option that best fits the situation.

What's the difference between "unlikely" and "becoming less likely"?

"Unlikely" describes a state of low probability at a specific moment. "Becoming less likely" indicates a trend of decreasing probability over time. For example, 'The project's success is unlikely,' versus 'The project's success is "becoming less likely" due to budget cuts.'