how probable is it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how probable is it" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to ask about the likelihood or chances of something happening. Here is an example sentence: - How probable is it that we will finish the project on time? In this sentence, the speaker is asking about the probability or likelihood of completing the project within the designated time frame.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

How probable is it that a change in human activity can do anything about global warming?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

An easy question (how coherent is the narrative?) is substituted for a more difficult one (how probable is it?).

The New York Times - Books

How probable is it that this word is next to that one?

Forbes

How probable is it?" or "What is the concrete evidence?

Huffington Post

If most arrangement types are imbalanced, how probable is it that a rearrangement would increase balance, especially if the initial imbalance was caused by an insertion as proposed by the Balanced Replichore hypothesis?

Plosone

Perceived social support was measured by one item: If you fell ill and had to stay in bed over an extended period of time, how probable is it that you could count on receiving the necessary help and support from family, friends or neighbours?

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

How probable was it, after all, that, in probing the brain, scientists would come across little clusters of "belief" neurons?

The New Yorker

This score measures how probable is for the gene to truly belong to GO‐BP, given its probability estimate output from SVM, and also given the precision value of SVM for the particular category.

BioData Mining

But without a mother cell such that it could actually be reproduced and alive; how probable is that?

WikiHow

While Willis's own antics in these films are a case study in far-fetchedness, just how probable is a large scale cyber-attack in reality?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

How probable is a Grexit?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how probable is it", ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to. Ambiguity can reduce clarity and impact the question's effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid treating 'probable' as a binary (yes/no) condition. Probability exists on a spectrum. Instead of simply stating something is probable, quantify the probability when possible (e.g., 'highly probable', '50% probable').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how probable is it" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the likelihood or chance of a specific event or situation. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a grammatically sound way to frame such a question.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

42%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how probable is it" is a grammatically correct interrogative phrase used to inquire about the likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness and usefulness. While the phrase appears across various source types, it's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what 'it' refers to and avoid treating probability as a simple yes/no condition. Alternatives include phrases like "how likely is it" or "what are the odds". Keep in mind frequency is uncommon, therefore, not as popular as more common queries such as 'how likely is it'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What's the likelihood of that?

Focuses on the "likelihood" using a contraction for a more informal tone.

How likely is it?

Rephrases the question with a slightly different word order, emphasizing "likely".

What is the probability?

Uses a more formal and direct approach to ask about the mathematical probability.

What are the odds?

Uses a more colloquial expression to inquire about the chances of something happening.

What is the chance of that occurring?

Rephrases to focus on the "chance" of a specific event.

Is it probable?

Simplifies the question to a yes/no format regarding probability.

To what extent is it probable?

Adds a degree of scale to the probability assessment.

Is there a high likelihood?

Poses the question by focusing on whether a "high likelihood" exists.

How realistic is it?

Shifts focus to the "realism" or feasibility of a scenario.

What are the prospects?

Asks about the "prospects" or potential outcomes and their probability.

FAQs

What does "how probable is it" mean?

The phrase "how probable is it" inquires about the likelihood or chance of a specific event or situation occurring. It seeks an assessment of the probability involved.

How can I use "how probable is it" in a sentence?

You can use "how probable is it" to question the likelihood of an event. For example, "Given the current data, "how probable is it" that the company will meet its projected earnings?"

What are some alternatives to "how probable is it"?

Alternatives include "how likely is it", "what are the odds", or "what is the probability". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "how probable is it that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how probable is it that" is grammatically correct. The 'that' simply introduces a clause specifying what is being assessed for probability. For example, "How probable is it that the project will be completed on time?"