if there is a likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if there is a likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility or probability of an event occurring. Example: "We need to assess if there is a likelihood of rain before planning the outdoor event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The I.R.S. properly targets a tax-exempt application for further review if there is a likelihood that its operations will be political rather than educational or for social welfare.

The New York Times

I disagree with that conclusion; find no precedent for it; maintain that if there is a likelihood of personal self-incrimination the narrow use immunity permitted by statute can be granted without frustrating the investigation of collective entities; and submit that basic Fifth Amendment principles should not be avoided and manipulated, which is the necessary effect of this decision.

Cornell University

Moreover, many indigenous researchers have also explored the availability of wind energy sources in Nigeria with a view of implementing them if there is a likelihood for their usage.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

It should be noted that even though the requests are only predicted, DM needs to ensure that it consults the GoS component if there is a likelihood of the request causing the GoS criteria to fall below the agreed threshold.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Supplemental iron is important to children with severe post-malaria anaemia if there is a likelihood of pre-existing iron deficiency.

Plosone

In the critically ill mother, radiological investigations should be performed as required, and not withheld if there is a likelihood of benefitting the mother.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Citing a Supreme Court decision, Mr. Moses responded that the right to use a park was not absolute, especially if there was a likelihood of riot or fatalities.

The New York Times

"People should ask themselves if there's a likelihood that these amendments would exist if it were consumer advocates giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to these members and the banks didn't make any contributions," said Lincoln.

Huffington Post

If you can find a trademark registered for the DJ name you've chosen, this means that someone else has already taken your name and has legal grounds to force you to change yours if there's a likelihood you may be confused as artists.

WikiHow

In the end, if monetary damages are awarded, there is a likelihood that Bain and THL can share the amount greater than $500 million with Clear Channel in a manner that gives a nice profit to the private equity firms.

The New York Times

"A [temporary restraining order] is only issued if it can be shown there is a likelihood of success the [Newport Beach Dock Owners Assn.] will prevail on the merits of its underlying claim," Mayor Keith Curry said in a statement.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the likelihood if possible. Instead of just saying "if there is a likelihood", consider specifying "if there is a high likelihood" or "if there is a small likelihood" to give a more precise indication of the probability.

Common error

Avoid pairing "if there is a likelihood" with other vague qualifiers. For example, saying "if there is a slight likelihood of a possible delay" is redundant and weakens the statement. Choose the strongest qualifier and eliminate the rest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if there is a likelihood" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a scenario where a certain probability exists. It sets the stage for a potential outcome or action based on that probability. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if there is a likelihood" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for expressing a conditional probability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and while not extremely common, it is used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "in the event that there is a possibility", while "if there is a chance" offers a simpler option. The key is to ensure clarity and avoid redundant qualifiers to maintain a strong and effective statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if there is a probability

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability", maintaining similar meaning and grammatical structure.

if there is a chance

Substitutes "likelihood" with "chance", indicating a possibility, often with a slightly lower degree of certainty.

if it is likely that

Changes the structure to focus on the likelihood of a specific event or outcome.

in the event that there is a possibility

Expands the phrase to "in the event that", adding more formality and emphasizing conditionality.

provided there is a possibility

Uses "provided" to introduce a condition based on the existence of a possibility, conveying a conditional statement.

should a likelihood exist

Inverts the sentence structure for a more formal or literary tone.

if a likelihood arises

Replaces "there is" with "arises", focusing on the emergence of the likelihood.

given the potential

Uses "given the potential" to suggest that if there is a potential. It uses a slight different phrasing, while the underlying meaning is kept.

assuming a possibility

Implies the existence of a possibility as a condition, with a concise structure.

on the off chance that

Introduces a more informal and colloquial tone, suggesting a smaller chance or possibility.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if there is a likelihood" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "in the event that there is a possibility" or "should a likelihood exist".

What is a simpler way to say "if there is a likelihood"?

A simpler alternative is "if there is a chance", which conveys the same meaning with less formality.

Is "if there is a likelihood" the same as "if it is likely that"?

Yes, "if there is a likelihood" is similar to "if it is likely that", but the latter directly indicates that something is probable, while the former implies a possibility exists.

When should I use "if there is a likelihood" instead of "if there is a possibility"?

Use "if there is a likelihood" when you want to emphasize the probability of something happening, while "if there is a possibility" is more general and indicates that something is simply not impossible.