equally unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equally unlikely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more scenarios or outcomes that have the same low probability of occurring. Example: "Both options are equally unlikely to succeed given the current circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I would think it equally unlikely – if only because, unlike Jimmy Savile or Cyril Smith, Heath had little opportunity for contact with children.

Independent

An equally unlikely answer.

The New York Times - Sports

But that is equally unlikely.

The Economist

However, a leftist coalition seems equally unlikely.

Independent

Corbyn is equally unlikely to end up as prime minister.

The Guardian - Opinion

Severe storms or floods look equally unlikely causes.

The Economist

That seemed equally unlikely and yet the system had to work somehow.

The Guardian - Books

The second yet equally unlikely reason is that developers have started submitting poorer quality applications.

The Guardian

You are equally unlikely to leave without tears in your eyes.

The New York Times

It's equally unlikely that she's still at the very beginning of her tenure.

The New York Times - Science

It's equally unlikely, but it would have been worth the effort to find out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "equally unlikely" to draw a parallel between the low probability of two or more distinct events or scenarios. Ensure the comparison is clear and the events are indeed comparable in their unlikelihood.

Common error

Avoid using "equally unlikely" when describing a single event in isolation. The phrase requires a comparison to another event or possibility to be meaningful. Using it without a comparison renders the 'equally' part redundant and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equally unlikely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. It expresses a judgment about the probability of an event or situation, indicating that it is improbable to the same degree as something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "equally unlikely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that serves to indicate that two or more events or outcomes have a similar low probability of occurring. It is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct and suitable for use in written English. Alternative phrases include "just as improbable" and "similarly unlikely".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as improbable

Emphasizes the equivalent lack of probability between two or more things, maintaining a formal tone.

similarly improbable

Highlights the parallel improbability, suitable for technical or analytical contexts.

comparably doubtful

Stresses the likeness in doubtfulness, fitting for situations where uncertainty is a key factor.

correspondingly improbable

Draws a direct relationship between the improbability of multiple items.

analogously implausible

Uses a more sophisticated term to highlight shared implausibility.

uniformly doubtful

Suggests a consistent level of doubt across different aspects.

no more likely

Indicates that one thing is not any more probable than another.

equally remote

Conveys that the chances are far-fetched to the same extent.

as improbable

Expresses a direct comparison of improbability without adding extra emphasis.

of equal improbability

Highlights the balance in improbability in a formal or structured manner.

FAQs

What does "equally unlikely" mean?

The phrase "equally unlikely" means that two or more things have the same low probability of happening or being true. It suggests that none of the possibilities being compared is more probable than the others.

How can I use "equally unlikely" in a sentence?

You can use "equally unlikely" to compare the probabilities of different outcomes. For example: "Both candidates winning the election are "equally unlikely" given their low approval ratings."

Are there alternatives to the phrase "equally unlikely"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "just as improbable", "similarly unlikely", or "comparably doubtful" as alternatives to "equally unlikely".

When is it appropriate to use "equally unlikely"?

It is appropriate to use "equally unlikely" when you want to emphasize that multiple possibilities share a similar level of improbability or low likelihood. It's important that the scenarios being compared are logically comparable.