highly improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

'highly improbable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a very small chance of happening. For example, "Winning the lottery is highly improbable, but I still like to buy tickets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We wanted something highly improbable.

The New Yorker

It was highly improbable.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That is highly improbable.

The New York Times

But it is highly improbable.

The New York Times

That prospect is highly improbable.

The New York Times

CAN something inevitable also be highly improbable?

The Economist

But Krasnova's experience hardly sounds "highly improbable".

The New York Times - Books

If that's the intention, it's highly improbable.

The New Yorker

It was all statistically highly improbable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Highly improbable events were especially unsettling.

The New York Times

The plan was daring and highly improbable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "highly improbable" with clarifying information to explain why something is unlikely. This provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "highly improbable" when the event is actually impossible. While both suggest a low likelihood, "highly improbable" still implies a slight chance, whereas impossible means there's no chance at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly improbable" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms that its primary role is to describe something as very unlikely to occur or be true. For instance, saying 'That scenario is highly improbable' means that the particular scenario is extremely unlikely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly improbable" is a powerful adjectival phrase used to describe something with a very low probability of occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While it suggests a low likelihood, it is important to distinguish it from 'impossible', as "highly improbable" still implies a slight chance. Alternatives like "very unlikely" and "virtually impossible" can be used depending on the degree of improbability you wish to convey. Be mindful of overstating improbability and ensure that your usage aligns with the intended level of formality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very unlikely

Focuses on the low chance of occurrence, similar to "highly improbable" but using more common vocabulary.

extremely doubtful

Emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of conviction regarding a particular outcome.

virtually impossible

Highlights that something is almost certain not to happen, close to impossible.

scarcely possible

Suggests that an event is technically possible, but only just and against the odds.

remote possibility

Indicates that there is a small chance, but it is distant and unlikely.

slim chance

Implies the probability is very low and not worth considering.

not a snowball's chance in hell

An idiomatic expression to emphasize that something has no chance of succeeding.

against all odds

Indicates the odds are stacked against the possibility of success.

unlikely scenario

Focuses on a specific situation that does not have a high chance of occurring.

far-fetched

Suggests something is unrealistic and difficult to believe.

FAQs

How can I use "highly improbable" in a sentence?

You can use "highly improbable" to describe events or situations with a very low chance of occurring. For example, "It is "highly improbable" that the team will win the championship after losing their star player".

What's the difference between "highly improbable" and "unlikely"?

"Highly improbable" suggests a significantly lower probability than "unlikely". While both indicate something is not expected to happen, "highly improbable" emphasizes the rarity of the event. You can use "unlikely" when the event is not expected and use "highly improbable" when the event is statistically or logically unexpected.

What are some alternatives to saying "highly improbable"?

You can use alternatives like "very unlikely", "extremely doubtful", or "virtually impossible" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say something is "highly improbable, but not impossible"?

Yes, this phrasing is used to acknowledge that while an event is very unlikely, there is still a chance, however small, that it could happen. It emphasizes the low probability while leaving room for the possibility of occurrence.