far from likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far from likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is very unlikely to happen or occur. Example: "Given the current circumstances, a successful outcome is far from likely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A few weeks ago, it seemed that was a done deal, but the debate is moving so fast that what looks like a certainty one minute seems far from likely the next.

The Guardian

This seems far from likely.

The Guardian

Right now, this outcome seems far from likely.

The New York Times

But I suspect a mad dash is far from likely.

Independent

In theory, this gives you a 745-mile range but that's far from likely.

Independent

But Lagarde's intervention reinforces the view that a quick deal on debt relief is far from likely.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Sale was never officially evacuated during the war, and even received families from evacuated areas, although it was not considered far enough from likely targets to be an official destination for evacuees.

Wikipedia

My father bought the property a few years after the Cuban missile crisis when he and Alan Alda joined forces and decided to form a commune to get as far away from likely targets of a Soviet attack as possible.

Huffington Post

10, 2010), available at nytimes.com/travel, has several excellent suggestions for other activities not far from your likely Midtown location.

The New York Times

Universities, which were simply closed for several years, have now reopened but in distant suburbs, far from any likely venues for demonstrations.

The Economist

The images from Ferguson, where military-style vehicles roamed the streets, showed what policing had become, in an era when the Pentagon sells military surplus to towns that lie far from any likely terrorist threat.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far from likely" to express a moderate degree of doubt or improbability, implying that while not impossible, an outcome is not reasonably expected. For stronger statements of impossibility, consider "impossible" or "unthinkable".

Common error

Avoid using "far from likely" when the situation is absolutely impossible. This phrase implies a degree of possibility, however small. If something is impossible, use stronger terms like "impossible" or "no chance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from likely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a low probability or improbability of an event or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far from likely" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is improbable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverbial phrase to convey doubt or skepticism about a potential outcome. The phrase is suitable for neutral register and appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While "far from likely" is a useful tool for expressing moderate improbability, it's important to avoid overstating the situation if the scenario is truly impossible. Related alternatives include "unlikely to happen" and "highly improbable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly improbable

Directly states the improbability with a strong adjective.

unlikely to happen

Focuses on the action not happening, emphasizing the improbability.

not very probable

Uses 'probable' to highlight the low chance of occurrence.

remote possibility

Indicates a distant or unlikely chance of something occurring.

scarcely possible

Suggests that something is possible but only just.

slim chance

Indicates a very small possibility of success or occurrence.

against all odds

Emphasizes that success or occurrence would defy expectations.

not a prospect

Suggests that something is not expected or considered as a possibility.

out of the question

Indicates something is not to be considered due to impossibility or unsuitability.

hardly foreseeable

Highlights the unexpected and unpredictable nature of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "far from likely" in a sentence?

You can use "far from likely" to express that something is improbable. For example, "Given the current circumstances, a positive resolution is "far from likely"".

What are some alternatives to "far from likely"?

Alternatives include "unlikely to happen", "not very probable", or "highly improbable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "far from likely" or "highly unlikely"?

Both "far from likely" and "highly unlikely" convey a similar meaning, indicating a low probability. "Highly unlikely" is more direct, while "far from likely" might suggest a more nuanced assessment of the situation.

What does "far from likely" imply about the possibility of an event?

"Far from likely" suggests that while the event isn't strictly impossible, its occurrence is improbable and not reasonably expected. It implies a moderate degree of doubt.