heighten the likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'heighten the likelihood' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you describe a situation in which something is more likely to happen in the future. For example: "Even though the chances of winning the lottery are small, the recent scandals swirling around the company have only served to heighten the likelihood of winning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And studies have shown that recurrent deployments heighten the likelihood of combat trauma, which, in turn, increases the risk of domestic violence.

The New York Times

This article reviews the status of the literature with regard to translation to practice and describes methods that will heighten the likelihood of translation.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Elections heighten the likelihood of increased numbers of assassination attempts, arrests of those viewed as "enemies" of the central or local government and intimidation of political rivals who threaten the status quo.

The New York Times

Some middle-class feminists are a bit hostile to intersectional feminism (in which sexism is seen as just one of a range of factors that can combine to heighten the likelihood of prejudicial exclusion).

The Guardian - Opinion

The authors also share concern about the impact of extraordinarily high THC concentrations in new routes of THC administration, such as marijuana e-cigarettes and dabbing (>60%THC), which may heighten the likelihood of adverse psychiatric consequences, particularly if regular use begins in adolescence.

Nature

If PA intervention research is to be improved, theory should be used as the basis for intervention development, participant context or environment should be considered in the process, and intervention characteristics that will heighten the likelihood of translation into practice should be implemented (e.g., ease of implementation, low human resource costs).

Psychology of Sport and Exercise

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

[Page B1.] The steep decline in state revenue heightens the likelihood of profound cuts in services when Mr. Pataki presents his executive budget in three weeks.

The New York Times

Privately, theater owners are now predicting that "Avatar" may play in as many as 2,500 3-D theaters, while occupying almost as many conventional theaters over the holiday season, heightening the likelihood of a big opening.

The New York Times

More reductions in top-down estimates of overall growth by Wall Street economists are expected this week, only heightening the likelihood that earnings projections will eventually have to come down, too.

The New York Times

SHANGHAI, Jan . 16-- China's state media on Monday reported that the country's foreign currency reserves swelled by more than one-third last year to a record $819 billion as its factories churned out goods for markets around the world, heightening the likelihood of fresh trade tensions with the United States.

The Washington Post

Startups don't have to have a Facebook integration to join FbStart, but being in the program probably heightens the likelihood that they'll build Facebook integrations into their apps that feed Facebook content and data.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, while acceptable, consider if a more precise term like "increase the probability" might be more appropriate, depending on the specific field or audience.

Common error

While "heighten the likelihood" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for alternatives like "boost the chances" or "raise the odds" to maintain a more natural tone in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heighten the likelihood" functions as a verb phrase acting on a noun phrase, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship where one action or condition increases the probability of another event. It is often used in descriptive and analytical contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heighten the likelihood" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express an increased probability of something occurring, a point supported by Ludwig. While more common in news and scientific contexts, it can also appear in formal business settings. The analysis suggests a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine if a more informal alternative, such as "boost the chances", might be more appropriate. Ludwig provides numerous examples that showcases its appropriate use in a variety of sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the probability

Focuses on the mathematical aspect of probability rather than a general likelihood.

boost the chances

More informal and emphasizes the positive aspect of improving opportunities.

raise the odds

Similar to 'boost the chances', it uses a more informal term for probability.

enhance the prospect

More formal and suggests improving the general outlook or possibility.

improve the potential

Focuses on the inherent capacity for something to happen or develop.

magnify the possibility

Emphasizes a significant increase in the chance of something occurring.

amplify the risk

Focuses on increasing the chance of a negative outcome.

aggravate the possibility

Implies making an already existing possibility more severe or likely.

sharpen the probability

Suggests making the likelihood more distinct or defined.

exacerbate the risk

Suggests making an already existing risk more severe or likely.

FAQs

What does "heighten the likelihood" mean?

The phrase "heighten the likelihood" means to increase the probability or chance of something happening. It suggests that certain actions or conditions make an event more likely to occur.

How can I use "heighten the likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "heighten the likelihood" to describe situations where specific factors increase the probability of an outcome. For example, "Implementing stricter safety measures will "increase the probability" of preventing accidents."

What are some alternatives to "heighten the likelihood"?

Some alternatives to "heighten the likelihood" include "increase the probability", "boost the chances", "raise the odds", or "enhance the prospect", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "heighten the likelihood" formal or informal?

"Heighten the likelihood" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "boost the chances" or "raise the odds" to maintain a more casual tone.