despite its improbability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite its improbability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is happening or being considered even though it is unlikely or not expected to occur. Example: "The team decided to proceed with the plan despite its improbability, believing that they could achieve the impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The novel's charm lies in its improbability: it's "Slumdog Millionaire" meets "Ratatouille".

The New York Times - Books

In his opinion, Hand wrote:"In each case they [the courts] must ask whether the gravity of the 'evil', discounted by its improbability, justifies such invasion of free speech as is necessary to avoid the danger..

Wikipedia

"In each case," he wrote, "[courts] must ask whether the gravity of the 'evil', discounted by its improbability, justifies such invasion of free speech as is necessary to avoid the danger".

Wikipedia

The official version of the Kennedy assassination - despite its myriad improbabilities, which have only grown more inconceivable with time - remains firmly embedded in the media consciousness, as unquestioned as the law of gravity. p. 494).

Huffington Post

"Philosophy Talk" filled the bill; its "improbability was part of the attraction". Just how improbable is 52 hours a year of programming devoted to the nature of meaning and language and social relations?

Los Angeles Times

"Indian jewelry appeals to the connoisseur with scholarly taste, but also to those who love its improbability," Mr. Jaffer said.

The New York Times

Speaker after speaker highlighted its improbability, and even Dr. Metsch said that there were "eight or nine times when I thought it was dead".

The New York Times

After years in the news, the project and its improbability — a live-action movie based on a slender, illustrated children's book that runs fewer than 40 pages, some without any words at all — are no longer a surprise.

The New York Times

This struck us as a good point of departure because of both its centrality and its improbability.

HuffPost

What makes this organ, the creation of Manuel Rosales and constructed in Germany by Glatter-Gotz Orgelbau, unique is its improbability.

Los Angeles Times

That world largely collapsed under the weight of its improbabilities in 2008.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite its improbability", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'it' refers to. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "despite its improbability" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly informal contexts. Simpler phrases like "even though it's unlikely" might be more appropriate for casual conversations or informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite its improbability" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a clause. It introduces a contrast or concession, indicating that something is happening or being considered even though it is unlikely. This function aligns with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "despite its improbability" is a grammatically correct way to express that something is considered or happening even though it's unlikely. Ludwig confirms its validity for use in writing. Though not exceedingly common, the phrase appears in news, wiki and scientific contexts. Alternatives like "even though it's unlikely" or "in spite of its unlikeliness" can be used depending on the context. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the 'it' to maintain clarity. This phrase isn't optimal for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in spite of its unlikeliness

This phrase is very similar in meaning and structure, simply swapping out "improbability" for "unlikeliness".

regardless of its implausibility

This choice replaces "improbability" with "implausibility", offering a synonym that emphasizes the lack of believability.

even though it's unlikely

This alternative directly replaces the phrase with a simpler and more common expression of unlikelihood.

though it seems improbable

This alters the structure to a concessive clause, maintaining the same core meaning.

despite its remote possibility

This option highlights the distance or remoteness of the possibility, emphasizing its unlikelihood.

notwithstanding its unlikelihood

This option uses a more formal tone while maintaining the core meaning of acknowledging the low probability.

however unlikely it may be

This option uses a more emphatic tone to stress the unlikelihood, while still acknowledging its possibility.

even with its slim chance

This alternative uses a more colloquial expression to convey the idea of low probability.

even if it's a long shot

This uses an informal idiom to express the low probability of success or occurrence.

against all odds

This phrase is more idiomatic, suggesting that success or occurrence is improbable but not impossible.

FAQs

How can I use "despite its improbability" in a sentence?

You can use "despite its improbability" to introduce a fact or action that seems unlikely given the circumstances. For instance, "Despite its improbability, the project was a resounding success."

What are some alternatives to "despite its improbability"?

You can use alternatives like "even though it's unlikely", "in spite of its unlikeliness", or "regardless of its implausibility".

Is it better to use "despite its improbability" or "in spite of its improbability"?

Both "despite its improbability" and "in spite of its improbability" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "despite its improbability" and "despite its difficulty"?

"Despite its improbability" refers to the unlikelihood of something happening, while "despite its difficulty" refers to how challenging something is. They address different aspects of a situation.