however unlikely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however unlikely that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to express doubt or surprise about a situation — even when there is no immediate evidence to back it up. For example: "I heard that he had won the lottery, however unlikely that may sound."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, because lymphocytes survive for weeks, a major contribution from this cell type is unlikely (22, 23).

Diabetes Care

The pre-deprotonated oxime hypothesis is however unlikely given (1) that the pKa value of HI-6 is 7.63, and (2) that effective reactivation requires higher nucleophilicity of a reactivator than that of the catalytic serine residue.

Plosone

It is, however, unlikely that TRL2 and TRL4 act as receptors for HA in osteoarthritic chondrocytes, as neither the expression of these molecules nor any effect of their antibodies on the recovery was observed in the chondrocytes (data not shown).

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

At Fidelity, the Boston-based firm that has $442 billion in money market assets, managers are avoiding Treasury bills that come due on Aug. 4 and Aug. 11, however unlikely a technical default may be.

The New York Times

It is, however, unlikely to be a very marketable toy because it requires three 9 V batteries to run and the motor consumes battery power too quickly.

Cornell University

To determine if life events occurred independent of will or influence of the respondents' own behaviour, each severe event was rated on a seven-point scale: 1) completely independent; 2) nearly independent; 3) possible influence, however, very unlikely; 4) physical illness; 5) cooperation or agreement with external situation; 6) likely neglect or carelessness; and 7) intentional choice.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

However, this is most unlikely [ 8, 20].

European Journal of Epidemiology

However, SNP8 unlikely acts via a multiplicative model in the present study (p ≤ 0.007, see additional file 1).

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Taken together, PI3K may mediate G1-S progression by cyclin D1 induction, however p110β-isoform is unlikely to directly regulate cyclin D1.

Apoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death

However, 28.0% (n = 167) would be "highly unlikely" or "unlikely" to enact current guidelines in response to a supra-therapeutic INR.

BMC Family Practice

However, sat4 is disrupted by an ISE (EFAU085_p3014) and is therefore unlikely to be functional.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however unlikely that" to introduce a statement that contrasts with a preceding idea, emphasizing the surprising or unexpected nature of the situation. This is particularly useful in formal writing where you need to acknowledge potential disbelief or skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "however unlikely that" when a more direct expression of doubt or disbelief is appropriate. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound convoluted or pretentious; consider simpler alternatives like "though it's doubtful" or "despite the odds".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however unlikely that" functions as a concessive conjunction, introducing a statement that contrasts with or qualifies a previous assertion. This acknowledges a potential objection or disbelief, preparing the reader for something unexpected. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however unlikely that" serves as a concessive conjunction, introducing statements that might appear improbable or surprising. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While this phrase is valid and functional, its usage is not very common. This makes it important to understand its nuances, as detailed in the writing guidance, to avoid misuse or overuse. The related phrases offer alternatives for expressing varying degrees of improbability. The lack of examples indicates that the expression is not frequently used, however this is because this response is being generated even if there are no examples. Therefore, there's no conflict with Ludwig AI indicating that this is an expression that is grammatically correct and can be employed in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though it seems improbable

This alternative uses a more descriptive phrase to convey improbability.

even if it's improbable

This alternative emphasizes the condition of improbability.

despite its improbability

This alternative highlights the contrast between the situation and its unlikely nature.

improbable as it may seem

This alternative uses a more formal tone and inverted structure.

against all odds

This phrase focuses on overcoming significant improbability.

though it may not seem likely

This alternative uses more common vocabulary to express doubt.

despite the slim chance

This alternative emphasizes the low probability of something happening.

even if it appears doubtful

This alternative focuses on the appearance of doubt.

in spite of its unlikelihood

This alternative uses a more formal and emphatic tone.

though it defies expectations

This alternative highlights the surprising nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "however unlikely that" in a sentence?

You can use "however unlikely that" to introduce a statement that might seem improbable or surprising, for example: "I heard he might be quitting his job, however unlikely that seems given his dedication."

What are some alternatives to "however unlikely that"?

You can use alternatives like "though it seems improbable", "even if it's improbable", or "despite its improbability" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to include "however" when expressing improbability?

No, "however" is not always necessary. You can express improbability using phrases like "it is unlikely" or "it is improbable" without the need for a contrasting conjunction.

What's the difference between "however unlikely that" and "though unlikely"?

"However unlikely that" is typically used to introduce a clause expressing a contrasting idea, while "though unlikely" can directly modify a noun or adjective. For example: "However unlikely that may seem, it's true," versus "Though unlikely, the event did occur."