determining the likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determining the likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of assessing the probability or chance of an event occurring. Example: "The researchers are focused on determining the likelihood of a successful outcome based on the available data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I therefore do not consider this factor in determining the likelihood of confusion.

Harvard University

Thus, they identified parenting as the most decisive factor in determining the likelihood that a person will commit crimes.

Britannica

The Second Circuit set out the factors a court must consider in determining the likelihood of consumer confusion in Polaroid Corp. v. Polarad Elecs.

Harvard University

Second, P(N|F) is meaningless for determining the likelihood of N in our universe, since it does not take L into account.

University of California, Berkeley

The report found that where students live still plays a large part in determining the likelihood that their school work will be challenging enough to prepare them for college.

The New York Times

The US-led coalision istillll determining the likelihood the Mosul Dam could fail but said it has developed emergency measures alongside the Iraqi government.

Independent

Fuzzy logic has been used in handling incomplete and conflicting knowledge encountered in determining the likelihood of asphaltene and wax deposition.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Fuzzy min max operators were used within a GI System for determining the likelihood an area to low, moderate or high erosion hazard.

Environmental Modelling & Software

Geographical features such as the distribution area of species have been previously found to be important in determining the likelihood of rodent and bat species carrying zoonotic agents19,20.

Nature

Proponents argue that algorithms that use combination of factors – like the nature of the crime, records of previous offenses, personal history – present a fairer method of determining the likelihood of future criminal behavior.

Harvard University

For informal workers earning more than the minimum wage, car ownership seem to be more relevant than transit accessibility in determining the likelihood of being part of the informal job sector.

Journal of Transport Geography

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determining the likelihood", ensure you clearly define the factors or variables influencing the outcome you are assessing. This provides context and strengthens your analysis.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because you can "determine the likelihood" of an event based on certain factors, those factors directly cause the event. Correlation does not equal causation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determining the likelihood" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a subject or part of a verb phrase. It describes the act of assessing or calculating the probability of an event occurring. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

22%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "determining the likelihood" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as verified by Ludwig. It serves to describe the process of assessing the probability or chance of an event occurring. Its primary use is within scientific, academic, and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly define the factors influencing the outcome. Be cautious not to equate correlation with causation. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing probability in a clear and concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assessing the probability

Focuses on evaluating the chance of something happening, similar to determining likelihood.

evaluating the possibility

Emphasizes judging whether something is possible, which is related to its likelihood.

gauging the odds

Uses a more informal term ('odds') to refer to the chances of something occurring.

estimating the chance

Highlights the act of estimating, suggesting an approximate calculation of probability.

predicting the probability

Focuses on forecasting the likelihood of a future event.

assessing the risk

Shifts the focus to evaluating potential dangers and their probabilities.

forecasting the outcome

Emphasizes predicting the result of a situation, linked to the likelihood of that result.

calculating the probability

Emphasizes a mathematical approach to finding the likelihood.

figuring out the odds

Uses a more casual phrasing for calculating probabilities.

ascertaining the prospects

Highlights the act of finding out the chances or possibilities of future success.

FAQs

How can I use "determining the likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "determining the likelihood" to describe the process of assessing how probable an event is. For example, "Researchers are focused on "determining the likelihood" of a successful outcome based on available data."

What are some alternatives to "determining the likelihood"?

Alternatives include "assessing the probability", "evaluating the possibility", or "gauging the odds" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "determining the likelihood" or "assessing the probability"?

Both "determining the likelihood" and "assessing the probability" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the desired tone and emphasis. "Determining" implies a more definitive process, while "assessing" suggests a broader evaluation.

What factors are important when "determining the likelihood" of an event?

Key factors include relevant data, historical trends, expert opinions, and statistical models. The specific factors depend on the event being analyzed.