how probable it is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'how probable it is' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the likelihood of a particular event or occurrence. For example, "I'm trying to gauge how probable it is that I'll get the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The chemical master equation describes the time evolution of the system state probability distribution, i.e. how probable it is that a chemical species in the system will have specific particle numbers at a specific point in time.

BMC Systems Biology

In order to estimate how probable it is to observe by chance L autoregulatory loops we first estimate probabilities for a transcription factor to be a target of itself.

Plosone

How probable it is I do not know, but the possibility is there".

The New Yorker

In his books from David and Goliath to Blink and The Tipping Point, Gladwell has mastered the art of telling eye-opening stories about the "slightly dumb, obvious questions" in life – why certain people like The Beatles or Bill Gates have massive success, how we make decisions, how probable it is for improbable events to happen, how stereotypes form.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Separately these things mean little, but by combining data from hundreds of different sources, software can calculate how probable it is that IEDs have been placed and possibly the area where they are.Richard Rowe, an American major general in Baghdad, says predictive software is already helping identify terrorists.

The Economist

The second is to examine the site and discover what it contains.This second kind of analysis is done by lining up lots of known binding sites for a particular protein, comparing them position by position, and so finding out which letter is most likely to occur at which position, and how probable it is that a different letter may sometimes crop up instead.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

What the brain needed to do was figure out how probable it was that this particular prior was correct, and how probable it was that the new sensory information was correct, and crunch those two probabilities together to come up with an answer.

The New Yorker

He pointed out how probable it was that long before highly advanced aliens could master the challenges of interstellar travel, they would have wiped themselves out by nuclear or biological war, or by polluting their environments.

The New York Times - Science

I called a lawyer friend, Jim, who came over with a joint, which I smoked in silence while he explained to me just how probable it was that the police would arrest the wrong person were I to report the crime, assuming they bothered doing anything at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

We calculated how probable it would be to simultaneously observe both ORAA under the null hypothesis of CST3 having no effect on either disease.

Human Genetics

To quantify the similarity between the ORAA for AD and AMD, we also calculated how probable it would be to simultaneously observe both these ORs by chance given the null hypothesis that CST3 has no effect on both diseases.

Human Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assessing future events, use "how probable it is" to introduce a quantified or qualified estimate of likelihood, grounding expectations in evidence or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "how probable it is" as a definitive prediction; instead, acknowledge the inherent uncertainty and contextual factors that influence the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how probable it is" functions as an interrogative clause that introduces a question about the likelihood or chance of a particular event or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show its use in evaluating possibilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how probable it is" serves as a grammatically correct and versatile phrase to question or evaluate the likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while it appears across various domains, it's notably frequent in scientific and news contexts. Usage tips involve using it to introduce estimates of likelihood, while avoiding its use as definitive prediction. Alternative phrases include "how likely is it" and "what is the probability". It's a great tool for adding nuance and precision to discussions about future possibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how likely is it

This alternative is a direct synonym with a slight change in sentence structure.

what is the likelihood

This phrase offers a more formal synonym, replacing "probable" with "likelihood".

what is the probability

This option replaces "probable" with its noun form, "probability", creating a slightly more technical feel.

what are the chances

This alternative uses a more direct and informal approach to inquire about probability.

to what extent is it probable

This phrase emphasizes the degree of probability, adding a layer of nuance.

how possible is it

This alternative focuses on possibility rather than probability, indicating whether something can occur.

what is the prospect

This option uses "prospect" to indicate a possibility or chance of something happening.

what is the anticipation

This version explores likelihood by focusing on expected outcomes or forecasts.

what is the expectation

This phrase focuses on what is generally expected to occur, implying a degree of probability.

how predictable is it

This shifts the focus to whether an event can be foreseen or expected based on current conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "how likely is it", "what is the probability", or "what are the chances" depending on the context.

Is "how probable it is" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how probable it is" is grammatically correct. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase used to inquire about the likelihood of an event.

In what contexts is "how probable it is" typically used?

The phrase "how probable it is" is often used in scientific, news, and formal contexts to assess the likelihood of specific events or outcomes, as shown in the provided examples.

What's a more formal alternative to "how probable it is"?

A more formal alternative to "how probable it is" could be "what is the likelihood" or "to what extent is it probable", which are suitable for academic or professional writing.