hardly any likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly any likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that there is very little chance or probability of something happening. Example: "Given the current circumstances, there is hardly any likelihood that the event will take place as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The jury was left to choose between sentencing him to a standard life sentence, with the chance (though hardly the likelihood) of parole after twenty years, and the much harsher sentence that he has now received — under the legal circumstances, the harshest sentence the jury could impose.

The New Yorker

Carried hardly any cash.

The New Yorker

Hardly any fun, actually.

The New Yorker

"Hardly any point".

Independent

Hardly any did.

The Economist

There's hardly any wait.

Cornell University

Well, Hardly Any.

The New York Times - Food

There were hardly any.

The New York Times - Style

Hardly any more than now.

The Economist

In fact, hardly any do.

The Economist

"There was hardly any pay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly any likelihood", ensure it is followed by a "that" clause or an "of" phrase to specify what is unlikely. For example, "There is hardly any likelihood that the project will be completed on time" or "There is hardly any likelihood of success".

Common error

Avoid overstating the certainty. "Hardly any likelihood" suggests a very low chance, but not necessarily impossibility. If you mean to convey absolute impossibility, use phrases like "no possibility" or "completely impossible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly any likelihood" functions as a qualifier, specifically indicating a very low degree of probability or chance. It modifies a noun or clause to express that something is improbable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

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Academia

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Science

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Less common in

Formal & Business

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Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly any likelihood" effectively conveys a low probability of something occurring. While grammatically sound and acceptable in a range of contexts, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not exceptionally common. Related phrases such as "minimal chance" or "slim chance" can offer alternative ways to express this idea, depending on the desired level of formality. When employing this phrase, ensure that it is followed by a "that" clause or an "of" phrase to specify what is unlikely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very little probability

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability", a close synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

minimal chance

Substitutes "hardly any" with "minimal" and "likelihood" with "chance", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

scant prospect

Uses "scant" to convey a small amount and "prospect" in place of "likelihood", resulting in a slightly more formal tone.

remote possibility

Emphasizes the distance or unlikelihood with "remote", replacing "likelihood" with the closely related "possibility".

slim chance

A more informal alternative, using "slim" to indicate a small chance.

slight chance

Similar to "slim chance" but perhaps slightly more formal.

negligible probability

Uses "negligible" to indicate that the probability is so small it can be disregarded.

almost no possibility

A more direct replacement, using "almost no" to convey the lack of possibility.

rare possibility

Uses "rare" to indicate a low frequency or chance of occurrence.

unlikely prospect

Focuses on the lack of likelihood, using the adjective "unlikely".

FAQs

How can I use "hardly any likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "hardly any likelihood" to express that there is very little chance of something happening. For example, "There is "hardly any likelihood" that the meeting will start on time."

What are some alternatives to "hardly any likelihood"?

Alternatives include phrases like "minimal chance", "slim chance", or "remote possibility", all conveying a similar sense of low probability.

Is "hardly any likelihood" formal or informal?

"Hardly any likelihood" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for most writing contexts, but more informal situations might call for expressions like "slim chance".

What's the difference between "hardly any likelihood" and "no likelihood"?

"Hardly any likelihood" suggests a very small chance, while "no likelihood" implies that there is absolutely no chance. The first expresses a very low probability, and the second expresses impossibility.