improbable that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improbable that" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used in a sentence to express doubt or skepticism about something happening in the future. Example: It is highly improbable that the team will win the championship with their current lineup.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it means it, however improbable that may sound.

The Economist

I asked to be put on a wait list, however improbable that may be.

Huffington Post

It is highly improbable that, as a home gardener, you will over-prune your apple tree.

WikiHow

"It is very improbable that someone could hide something".

The New York Times

I think it's very improbable that he'll be successful".

The New Yorker

It is improbable that the secessionist appetite has been quashed.

Independent

It seems improbable that this was a pregnancy undertaken lightly.

The Guardian - Opinion

It seems so improbable that he could have loved her.

The New Yorker

It's so improbable that it almost seems impossible".

The New York Times - Sports

It seems highly improbable that they will let him leave.

The New York Times - Sports

It is improbable that the I.I.T.'s will ever regain their old glory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "improbable that" with adverbs like "highly", "extremely", or "statistically" to fine-tune the degree of improbability you wish to convey. For instance, "It's highly improbable that..." strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "improbable that" when describing scenarios that are already impossible. "Improbable" implies a small chance, while "impossible" means there is no chance at all. Choose the word that accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improbable that" functions as a modal qualifier, expressing a degree of uncertainty or low probability regarding a statement. It introduces a clause that describes a scenario that is considered unlikely, and as Ludwig AI confirms it is used to express doubt or skepticism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

67%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "improbable that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing doubt or low probability. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in written English. It's versatile, fitting well in both news, scientific and casual conversations. While frequently appearing in News & Media and Science contexts, it can also be employed in formal settings. Remember to use it when you want to express a reasoned assessment of low likelihood and fine-tune the degree of improbability by combining it with adverbs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely that

Direct synonym, expressing a low probability of something occurring.

not likely that

A straightforward way of stating low probability.

doubtful that

Implies uncertainty or skepticism about a particular outcome.

it's a long shot that

Idiomatic expression indicating a very low chance of success.

scarcely possible that

Highlights the minimal possibility of something happening.

slim chance that

Suggests that the likelihood of something happening is very minimal.

hardly conceivable that

Emphasizes the difficulty in imagining or accepting something as true.

remote possibility that

Indicates a slight, but distant, chance of something occurring.

it's against the odds that

Implies that prevailing factors suggest an unfavorable outcome.

unforeseeable that

Expresses the unpredictable nature of event in question, which makes it difficult to expect.

FAQs

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

Use "improbable that" to express disbelief or skepticism about a future event or possibility. For example, "It is "unlikely that" we will meet all our deadlines this quarter."

What are some alternatives to saying "improbable that"?

You can use phrases such as "doubtful that", ""unlikely that"", or "scarcely possible that" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "highly improbable that"?

Yes, adding "highly" emphasizes the low probability. It strengthens the statement, suggesting that the event is very unlikely to occur.

What's the difference between "improbable that" and "impossible that"?

"Improbable that" means something is unlikely but still possible, while "impossible that" means something cannot happen under any circumstances. Therefore, while something being "improbable that" suggests it's unlikely, calling it "impossible" asserts that it cannot occur.