decrease the probability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'decrease the probability' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of making something less likely to occur. For example, "Putting in extra safety measures to secure the perimeter of the building will decrease the probability of a break-in."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This deal might be worthwhile, since it will decrease the probability of proliferation to third parties.

The New York Times

We continue to make rule changes in our game to make our game safer and decrease the probability of injuries".

The Guardian - Sport

An optimistic read of the effectiveness of antidepressants would find that the most effective drugs decrease the probability of depression by only about 20 percent.

The New York Times

Immobilization could also decrease the probability for segregational plasmid loss and overgrowth of plasmid-free cells.

Biochemical Engineering Journal

Hypothesis 3: More diverse skills decrease the probability of entering paid-employment.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Increasing non-livestock income by 10% would decrease the probability to migrate by 0.08%.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

Therefore, they could decrease the probability of emergence of resistant tumor clones [13, 14, 15].

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

As show in the figure, LDA can decrease the probability of misclassification caused by confusing words.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Increasing the tender rate or size tends to decrease the probability and severity of a short squeeze.

Journal of International Money and Finance

Furthermore, if information is structured in a tree Iterated Bloom Filters decrease the probability of false positives.

Future Generation Computer Systems

In order to decrease the probability of false alarm, a threshold of 45 dB was selected for further data processing.

Renewable Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity in scientific or technical writing, use "decrease the probability" to precisely convey a reduction in the likelihood of a specific event or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "decrease the probability" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "reduce the chance" or "lower the odds" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease the probability" functions as a verb phrase that typically modifies a noun or clause, indicating an action taken to reduce the likelihood of a specific event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decrease the probability" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, especially within scientific, news, and formal business contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it's commonly employed to articulate strategies designed to minimize the occurrence of specific events. For less formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "reduce the chance" or "lower the odds". When communicating the goal to lessening potential risks, the phrase helps to reassure or justify actions by demonstrating a proactive approach to mitigating negative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the likelihood

Uses "likelihood" instead of "probability", a synonym with a slightly more informal tone.

minimize the likelihood

Uses "minimize" to suggest reducing the likelihood to the smallest possible extent.

lessen the chance

Substitutes "probability" with "chance", which can imply a less formal or precise estimation.

mitigate the risk

Employs "risk" and "mitigate", framing the phrase in terms of risk management and reduction.

lower the odds

Replaces "probability" with "odds", often used in contexts involving gambling or competition.

curtail the potential

Uses "potential" to suggest limiting possible negative outcomes, with a stronger emphasis on prevention.

diminish the prospect

Employs "prospect", indicating a future possibility that is being reduced.

weaken the possibility

Replaces "decrease" with "weaken", emphasizing a reduction in strength or influence.

impede the opportunity

Uses "opportunity" to suggest hindering possible positive outcomes, with a focus on obstruction.

hold back the possibility

Employs "hold back" to emphasize restraining the possibility of something occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "decrease the probability" in a sentence?

You can use "decrease the probability" to indicate actions or measures taken to make something less likely to happen. For example, "Implementing stricter security protocols will "decrease the probability" of data breaches."

What are some alternatives to "decrease the probability"?

Alternatives include "reduce the likelihood", "lessen the chance", or "mitigate the risk". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "decrease the probability" or "reduce the probability"?

"Decrease the probability" and "reduce the probability" are largely interchangeable. "Reduce" is often considered slightly more common and versatile, but "decrease" can add a touch of formality, depending on the situation.

What is the difference between "decrease the probability" and "eliminate the probability"?

"Decrease the probability" means to lessen the likelihood of something, but not necessarily to zero. "Eliminate the probability", on the other hand, means to completely remove any chance of it occurring. The former implies reduction, while the latter suggests complete removal.