extremely unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely unlikely" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It means something is highly improbable or not very likely to happen. You can use it in any situation where you want to convey that something has a very small chance of occurring. Example: It is extremely unlikely that I will win the lottery, but I still buy a ticket every week just in case.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's extremely unlikely.

The New York Times

Extremely unlikely, Freud says.

The New Yorker

So it is extremely unlikely".

Independent

That seems extremely unlikely now.

The Economist

The ultimate sanction renationalisation is extremely unlikely.

The Economist

But any relaxation looks extremely unlikely.

The Economist

That strikes me as extremely unlikely.

The Economist

This is extremely unlikely to be true.

The Guardian

It is theoretically possible – if extremely unlikely.

The Guardian

A repetition will be extremely unlikely.

The New York Times

A Le Pen presidency remains extremely unlikely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extremely unlikely" when you want to emphasize that something has a very low probability of occurring, but not completely impossible. It's stronger than "unlikely" but not as definitive as "impossible".

Common error

Avoid using "extremely unlikely" when the event is genuinely impossible. "Extremely unlikely" still allows for a sliver of possibility, so use stronger terms like "impossible" or "certain not to happen" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely unlikely" functions as an adverbial modifier that intensifies the adjective "unlikely". Ludwig confirms its function in modifying the probability of an event or scenario. It describes the degree to which something is not expected to occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extremely unlikely" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a very low probability of an event occurring. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective "unlikely". It's prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various forms of communication. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in conveying skepticism or doubt. Alternatives such as "highly improbable" or "virtually impossible" can be used depending on the context and the desired level of emphasis. While a strong phrase, remember not to overstate impossibility by using it when an event is definitively impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly improbable

Emphasizes the low probability of something occurring.

very improbable

Similar to "extremely unlikely" but suggests a slightly lesser degree of improbability.

virtually impossible

Indicates that something is so unlikely as to be almost not possible.

almost no chance

Suggests a very small possibility of something happening.

slim chance

Implies that the probability of something happening is very low.

scarcely possible

Highlights the difficulty and low likelihood of something being able to happen.

hardly any prospect

Indicates that there is very little expectation of something occurring.

against all odds

Highlights that something is unlikely to happen given the prevailing circumstances.

remote possibility

Indicates that something is possible but has a very small chance of occurring.

unlikely scenario

Focuses on the improbability of a particular sequence of events.

FAQs

How to use "extremely unlikely" in a sentence?

You can use "extremely unlikely" to describe events or scenarios that have a very low probability of happening. For example: "It is "extremely unlikely" that the meeting will be cancelled."

What can I say instead of "extremely unlikely"?

You can use alternatives like "highly improbable", "very improbable", or "virtually impossible" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey. Alternatives such as "virtually impossible" suggest a very low probability.

Which is correct: "unlikely" or "extremely unlikely"?

Both "unlikely" and "extremely unlikely" are correct, but they differ in their degree of emphasis. "Unlikely" suggests a low probability, while "extremely unlikely" emphasizes an even lower probability. The choice depends on the specific context and the strength of the statement you want to make.

What's the difference between "extremely unlikely" and "impossible"?

"Extremely unlikely" means that something is highly improbable but still theoretically possible. "Impossible", on the other hand, means that something cannot happen under any circumstances. "Extremely unlikely" implies a very low probability, while "absolutely impossible" means there is zero chance.