however improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous idea, often to suggest that something unlikely may still be true or possible. Example: "The evidence was circumstantial, however improbable it seemed at first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However improbable, the friendship was genuine and lasting.

Independent

And it means it, however improbable that may sound.

The Economist

The risk of a nuclear battle, however improbable, makes Kashmir everybody's problem.

The New York Times

Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains – however improbable – must be the truth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However improbable it seems, Kerviel hopes to become a trader again.

The New Yorker

I wondered if this theory, however improbable, was in fact the least "impossible".

The New Yorker

She loved them all, however improbable the plots or poor the acting.

The New York Times - Books

It helps them to study those incongruities that are necessarily part of the truth, and to make connections, however improbable.

The New York Times - Books

However improbable such innocence may be, it serves as an effective foil for the devastation of Tiananmen Square.

The New York Times - Books

As Sherlock Holmes observed: when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

The Economist

This version of events, however improbable by most standards, has held up for nearly two decades as at least a plausible approximation of the truth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however improbable" to introduce a contrasting idea, acknowledging its unlikelihood while still considering its possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "however improbable" solely for emphasis without a genuine element of unlikelihood or surprise. Ensure the context warrants the acknowledgement of improbability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however improbable" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically introducing a clause that acknowledges the unlikely nature of a situation or statement. It sets up a contrast, suggesting that something is true or possible despite its improbability. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however improbable" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to introduce statements that are unlikely yet potentially true. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "however unlikely" or "as improbable as it may seem" exist, "however improbable" serves as a concise way to acknowledge and then override expectations. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize that a statement holds true, even against the odds.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however unbelievable

Replaces 'improbable' with 'unbelievable', emphasizing the difficulty in believing something.

however unlikely

Substitutes 'improbable' with 'unlikely', presenting a more common synonym.

nonetheless improbable

Adds 'nonetheless' to stress the contrast despite the improbability.

however unfeasible

Replaces 'improbable' with 'unfeasible', highlighting the impracticality.

yet improbable

Uses 'yet' to introduce the improbable nature as a surprising addition.

however incredible

Swaps 'improbable' with 'incredible', emphasizing the extraordinary nature.

however remote

Replaces 'improbable' with 'remote', suggesting a distant possibility.

however absurd

Replaces 'improbable' with 'absurd', highlighting the unreasonable nature.

however dubious

Replaces 'improbable' with 'dubious', highlighting the questionability.

however questionable

Substitutes 'improbable' with 'questionable', focusing on doubt.

FAQs

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

Use "however improbable" to introduce a statement that seems unlikely but might still be true, for example: "The theory seemed far-fetched however improbable it turned out to be correct."

What are some alternatives to "however improbable"?

You can use alternatives such as "however unlikely", "however unbelievable", or "however remote" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as improbable as it may seem" instead of "however improbable"?

Yes, "as improbable as it may seem" is a valid alternative that conveys a similar meaning to "however improbable", emphasizing the unlikelihood while still considering the possibility.

What's the difference between "however improbable" and "despite its improbability"?

"However improbable" is typically used to introduce a clause, while "despite its improbability" is used as a prepositional phrase to set up a contrast. For example: "However improbable, the plan succeeded." vs. "Despite its improbability, the plan succeeded."