decrease likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decrease likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the reduction of the probability or chance of an event occurring. Example: "Implementing these safety measures will help to decrease the likelihood of accidents in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We hypothesized that increased severity of obesity, farther distance from the program, lower education level of the primary caregiver, public insurance or no insurance, and lower socioeconomic status would all decrease likelihood of attending initial visit after referral.

The Journal of Pediatrics

The sequence-based orders were used in the final integrated map if they did not decrease likelihood of the map.

BMC Genomics

An heirloom cultivar of Ipomoea purpurea, "Grandpa Ott's", was used to decrease likelihood of heteroplasmy within the sample.

BMC Plant Biology

This calculation is conservative, as it does not account for finite genome size or the fact that physically linked SNPs are nonrandomly assorted (correction for either factor would substantially decrease likelihood of observing heterozygosity).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The report warns of weight problems spiralling out of control as "people who are overweight or obese were seen to be stigmatised and this was associated with a decreased likelihood of engaging in healthy behaviour such as exercise".

The Guardian

Lock-in is the decreased likelihood to search for, or change to, another option once an investment in something has been made.

The New York Times

But that doesn't factor in the decreased likelihood of subsequent page views.

TechCrunch

Conversely, higher levels of friendliness and vigor predicted a decreased likelihood of next-day friend conflict.

Journal of Adolescence

For Hispanic males and Hispanic females, kin homes are associated with a decreased likelihood of delinquency.

Children and Youth Services Review

The presence of weapons was associated with a significantly decreased likelihood of an unsuccessful attack (Exp[B] = 0.27).

Crime Science

Overcrowding appears to be associated with a decreased likelihood of timely treatment for acute AMI in our ED.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decrease likelihood" when you want to emphasize reducing the chance of a specific event, particularly in formal or scientific contexts. For example, "Implementing safety protocols will decrease the likelihood of accidents."

Common error

While grammatically sound, "decrease likelihood" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "reduce the chances" or "make it less likely" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease likelihood" functions as a verb phrase, where "decrease" is the verb and "likelihood" is the noun serving as the object. It indicates the action of reducing the probability or chance of something happening, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

80%

News & Media

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decrease likelihood" is grammatically correct and functions to express a reduction in the probability or chance of an event. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is most prevalent in formal and scientific contexts, although it also appears in news and media. While acceptable, it is advisable to use simpler alternatives in informal settings. The frequency of the expression is relatively rare. When aiming for precision and objectivity, "decrease likelihood" serves as a valuable tool for conveying risk assessment and mitigation. Consider the context and formality level when deciding whether to use this phrase or a simpler alternative to communicate your message effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the probability

Focuses on reducing a numerical probability rather than a general likelihood.

lower the odds

Uses more informal language, referring to 'odds' instead of 'likelihood'.

diminish the chance

Replaces "likelihood" with "chance", offering a slightly less formal tone.

lessen the risk

Shifts the focus to 'risk', implying a potentially negative outcome.

mitigate the possibility

Emphasizes the action of lessening a possibility, often in a formal context.

curtail the prospect

Uses more formal and less common vocabulary, focusing on the 'prospect' or outlook.

weaken the potential

Highlights the weakening of an inherent potential for something to happen.

impair the probability

Uses 'impair' to suggest damaging the probability, indicating a negative impact.

abate the possibility

Employs 'abate' to convey a gradual reduction in possibility.

dwindle the prospect

Implies a gradual decline in the prospect, often suggesting a fading hope.

FAQs

How can I use "decrease likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "decrease likelihood" to indicate that something reduces the probability of an event occurring. For example, "Regular exercise can "decrease likelihood" of heart disease".

What are some alternatives to "decrease likelihood"?

Alternatives include "reduce the probability", "lower the odds", or "diminish the chance". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "decrease likelihood" or "reduce likelihood"?

Both "decrease likelihood" and "reduce likelihood" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Reduce likelihood" is often preferred for its simplicity, while "decrease likelihood" can sound slightly more formal.

What factors might "decrease likelihood" of a successful project?

Factors such as poor planning, inadequate resources, lack of communication, and unforeseen challenges can all "decrease likelihood" of a project's success.