far more likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"far more likely" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to make a comparison between two events that have varying degrees of probability. For example, "I'm far more likely to go hiking than to go skydiving on my next vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(A far more likely outcome).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The opposite is far more likely.

The New York Times

Far more likely to be hit are refugees.

Independent

Breast cancer is far more likely to be fatal.

The New York Times

Today such a scenario seems far more likely.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this darkness, abuse becomes far more likely.

Independent

They're also far more likely than adults to become addicted.

The New York Times

Boys are far more likely to be medicated than girls.

The New York Times

Now they are far more likely to be religious conservatives.

The Economist

They are far more likely to become depressed.

The New York Times

Trade-promotion authority will make such agreements far more likely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two possibilities, use "far more likely" to emphasize a significant difference in probability. For instance, "It's far more likely to rain tomorrow than to snow."

Common error

Avoid using "far more likely" when the difference in probability is marginal. Saying "It's far more likely that I'll have tea than coffee" when you have tea 49% of the time and coffee 51% is an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far more likely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It serves to intensify the degree of probability associated with a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a valid phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far more likely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative phrase that serves to emphasize a significant difference in probability between two events. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid in English and suitable for use in diverse settings. The phrase is prevalent across news media and scientific publications. When using "far more likely", it is important to ensure the difference in probability is indeed substantial to avoid overstating certainty. Alternative phrases like "considerably more probable" or "significantly more plausible" can be used depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably more probable

Emphasizes the degree of probability more directly.

significantly more plausible

Focuses on the believability or credibility of the event.

much more liable to happen

Highlights the susceptibility of an event to occur.

substantially more expected

Implies a higher degree of anticipation or prediction.

appreciably more predictable

Stresses the ease with which the event can be foreseen.

vastly more conceivable

Emphasizes the possibility and imaginability of the event.

markedly more destined

Suggests a sense of inevitability or predetermination.

noticeably more prone to

Highlights a tendency or inclination towards the event.

decidedly more disposed to

Indicates a preference or inclination towards the event.

plainly more anticipateable

Focuses on making the prediction apparent and clear.

FAQs

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

Use "far more likely" to compare the probability of two events, emphasizing that one event has a significantly higher chance of occurring than the other. Example: "Given his experience, he's "far more likely" to get the job."

What are some alternatives to "far more likely"?

Alternatives include phrases like "considerably more probable", "significantly more plausible", or "much more liable to happen". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "more far likely" instead of "far more likely"?

No, the correct phrasing is "far more likely". The adverb "far" modifies "more" to intensify the comparison. "More far likely" is grammatically incorrect and not idiomatic.

What's the difference between "more likely" and "far more likely"?

"More likely" indicates a higher probability, while "far more likely" suggests a significantly higher probability. The addition of "far" strengthens the comparison and emphasizes a greater difference in likelihood.