improbable situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improbable situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a scenario that is unlikely to occur or seems unrealistic. Example: "The story revolves around an improbable situation where a group of strangers must work together to survive a natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The place, the weather, the scale of the projects make for an improbable situation.

The New Yorker

It was an improbable problem, but this was an improbable situation.

The New Yorker

That left him envisaging an improbable situation in which moderates from both major parties formed "a major modern party with the reactionary factions being squeezed out".

The New Yorker

If Clarett wanted to play again for the Buckeyes -- a highly improbable situation -- the university would first have to apply to the N.C.A.A. for his reinstatement.

The New York Times - Sports

Nobody would know quite what to make of such an improbable situation; yet, here we are, with two unlikely would-be champions squaring off in what surely will be an historic finale.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Certainly Ramsland shares Irving's frank disregard for taboos and his fondness for extravagantly improbable situations.

The New York Times - Books

Farce, a comic dramatic piece that uses highly improbable situations, stereotyped characters, extravagant exaggeration, and violent horseplay.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Williams makes observations about being drunk and having sex, he gives his opinion of the president of the day (Reagan; not good), he decorates proceedings with a range of voices and improbable situations, slaloming around some readymade good lines.

The Guardian

Spelled out in his 1999 book, "The Broken Estate: Essays on Literature and Belief," his theory is implicit in the term he coined for what he dislikes most about modern fiction, "hysterical realism": cartoonish characters, hyped-up prose, long lists of political and pop culture references, improbable situations, the essayistic presentation of ideas about politics and culture.

The New York Times - Books

With no music to excuse or expand upon the stylized characters and improbable situations, the film, directed by the television veteran John Leekley (HBO's "Spawn"), remains a sadly earthbound thing, mired in a dismal realism that lies far from its natural environment.

The New York Times

With such scheme, it is possible to push the DAS to extreme and improbable situations when all DCPs (amounting to thousand units) would signal critical events at the same time, i.e., generalized rain gauge above a certain threshold.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "improbable", ensure that the context clearly establishes why it is unlikely. Provide specific details or reasons to support your assessment. For example, "Given the company's financial instability, a successful merger seemed an improbable situation."

Common error

Avoid labeling a situation as "improbable" without providing sufficient reasoning. Simply stating that something is unlikely without context can weaken your argument and leave the reader unconvinced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improbable situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "improbable" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "situation". It describes a scenario or set of circumstances characterized by a low likelihood of occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improbable situation" describes a scenario considered unlikely or unrealistic. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While examples are somewhat limited, its application spans across news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains the reasons for the low probability. Consider alternatives like "unlikely scenario" or "implausible circumstance" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely scenario

Focuses on the low probability of the event occurring.

implausible circumstance

Emphasizes the difficulty in believing or accepting the situation.

remote possibility

Highlights the distance from being likely or achievable.

doubtful case

Suggests uncertainty and skepticism about the situation.

unforeseeable event

Stresses the unexpected nature of the occurrence.

far-fetched idea

Implies that the situation is unrealistic and contrived.

unexpected turn of events

Highlights a surprising change in circumstances.

extraordinary state of affairs

Emphasizes the unusual and remarkable nature of the situation.

uncommon predicament

Focuses on the rarity and unusual nature of the difficult situation.

remarkable occurrence

Highlights the unusual and noteworthy nature of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "improbable situation" to describe a scenario that is unlikely to occur or seems unrealistic. For example: "The story revolves around an "improbable situation" where a group of strangers must work together to survive a natural disaster."

What are some alternatives to "improbable situation"?

Alternatives include "unlikely scenario", "implausible circumstance", or "remote possibility", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "improbable situation" or "impossible situation"?

Use "improbable situation" when something is unlikely but still possible. Use "impossible situation" when something is not possible at all. "Improbable" suggests a low probability, while "impossible" suggests no probability.

What makes a situation "improbable"?

A situation is "improbable" when it contradicts known facts, defies logic, or requires a series of unlikely events to occur. It suggests a low likelihood of the situation actually happening.