decrease the likelihood of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decrease the likelihood of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or measures taken to reduce the chances of a particular event or outcome occurring. Example: "Implementing safety protocols can significantly decrease the likelihood of accidents in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

2. Self-forgiveness may decrease the likelihood of repeat offenses.

University of California, Berkeley

Prison does little to address these issues or to decrease the likelihood of recidivism.

The New York Times

Perhaps slow-going negotiations will decrease the likelihood of such an outbreak.

The New York Times

She now has medication that can decrease the likelihood of a sleep attack, though it is not a cure.

The New York Times

The ultimate goal: "Decrease the likelihood of a crash and cushion against serious injury should a crash occur," she said.

The New York Times - Health

Yet there is no FDA-approved treatment to decrease the likelihood of relapse in rehabilitated addicts.

Chemico-Biological Interactions

Through role-playing and practicing negotiation skills, we can decrease the likelihood of consequences that will affect adolescents for the rest of their lives.

The New York Times

A version of this thinking applies to life in college: there are checkpoints and speed bumps that could decrease the likelihood of harm.

The New Yorker

"If a person is the victim of a sexual assault," he said, "there are things they can do to decrease the likelihood of it happening again.

The New York Times

Such a hole, he said, would cause an immediate and precipitous drop in blood pressure and decrease the likelihood of bleeding from other wounds.

The New York Times

The doctor said he increased the dosage of some medications and prescribed an additional medication to decrease the likelihood of blood clotting, "thus preventing restenosis".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify the actions or measures that will "decrease the likelihood of" a particular outcome. This provides context and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid implying absolute prevention. Instead of saying something will 'eliminate' the risk, acknowledge that it will only "decrease the likelihood of" it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease the likelihood of" functions as a connector, indicating a causal relationship where certain actions aim to reduce the probability of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decrease the likelihood of" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey the intent to reduce the probability of an event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it enjoys widespread usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While precise quantification isn't always necessary, specifying actions enhances clarity. Remember to avoid overstating certainty and acknowledge that it reduces rather than eliminates risks. For formal contexts, consider synonyms like "mitigate the risk of". The phrase exemplifies proactive risk management and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the probability of

Focuses on the mathematical aspect of probability rather than the general chance.

lessen the chance of

Uses simpler vocabulary to express the same idea.

minimize the risk of

Emphasizes risk management and mitigation.

lower the odds of

Employs a more informal tone using "odds".

mitigate the possibility of

Uses more formal and technical language.

curtail the potential for

Focuses on limiting potential negative outcomes.

weaken the prospect of

Highlights diminishing future possibilities.

impede the onset of

Focuses on preventing the beginning or start of something.

deter the occurrence of

Emphasizes discouraging or preventing an event.

preclude the possibility of

Highlights making something impossible or preventing it entirely.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "decrease the likelihood of" in a formal context?

In formal writing, you can replace "decrease the likelihood of" with alternatives such as "mitigate the risk of", "reduce the probability of", or "lessen the potential for".

What are some less formal ways to say "decrease the likelihood of"?

For less formal situations, consider using phrases like "lower the odds of", "reduce the chance of", or "minimize the risk of".

Is it always necessary to quantify how much the likelihood is decreased?

While quantifying the decrease provides greater precision, it's not always necessary. The context often implies the degree of reduction. However, providing specific data or estimates strengthens your argument.

What's the difference between "decrease the likelihood of" and "eliminate the possibility of"?

"Decrease the likelihood of" suggests a reduction in probability, while "eliminate the possibility of" implies complete prevention. The former is often more realistic because completely eliminating possibilities is rare.