improbable to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improbable to happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing events or outcomes that are unlikely to occur. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it seems improbable to happen that we will meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's the great thing about sports: when you hope for something improbable to happen, 4,999 times out of 5,000 it never happens, but then there's the 5,000th time, and for God's sake, it happens.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The point is simply that the tournament offers lots and lots of opportunities for highly improbable things to happen, so some of them happen in almost every tournament.

The New York Times

In his books from David and Goliath to Blink and The Tipping Point, Gladwell has mastered the art of telling eye-opening stories about the "slightly dumb, obvious questions" in life – why certain people like The Beatles or Bill Gates have massive success, how we make decisions, how probable it is for improbable events to happen, how stereotypes form.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"If you wait long enough the improbable is bound to happen". John M. Cowden.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Given Scotland's recent form, a win against star-studded opponents high on confidence looks highly improbable but it needs to happen to avoid a similarly hushed Hampden for the remainder of this campaign.

BBC

The English press, and the English team, and the English supporters always collude to tell an improbable story about what is going to happen before a competition begins.

The Guardian - Sport

"A hundred things had to happen, most of them improbable, and ninety-nine have so far.

The New Yorker

Twenty-eight years later, in a year that has been so improbable, the impossible is once again about to happen.

Los Angeles Times

This improbable run by George Mason is the best thing to happen to college basketball in a long time.

The New York Times

It took an improbable and dramatic chain of events last May for that to happen.

The New York Times - Sports

It is scarcely less improbable than the heroic failures that have gone before – and yet it seems very likely to happen.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing future possibilities, use "improbable to happen" to express a low likelihood, but acknowledge that it is still within the realm of possibility. For instance, "Given the economic downturn, a rapid recovery is improbable to happen, but not entirely impossible."

Common error

Avoid using "improbable to happen" when describing events that are actually impossible. "Improbable" suggests a low probability, not a zero probability. Use "impossible" instead when something cannot occur under any circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improbable to happen" functions as an adjectival modifier describing a situation or event. It indicates a low probability but doesn't negate the possibility entirely. As noted by Ludwig, it is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improbable to happen" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe events with a low likelihood of occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While versatile, it is crucial to differentiate it from "impossible to happen", as "improbable" acknowledges a slim chance, while "impossible" negates any possibility. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and sports contexts. When writing, avoid overstating improbability, and consider formal alternatives like "unlikely to occur" in more professional settings. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate that it is a phrase that is well understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely to occur

Focuses on the low probability of an event taking place.

not likely to happen

A more direct way of stating that an event is improbable.

scarcely possible

Emphasizes the difficulty or near impossibility of something happening.

remotely possible

Suggests a slight chance, but still highly improbable.

against all odds

Highlights that an event happened despite significant obstacles.

defying expectations

Indicates that an event contradicts what was predicted or anticipated.

contrary to expectations

Similar to 'defying expectations', emphasizing a deviation from the norm.

an outside chance

Implies a very small possibility of an event occurring.

bucking the trend

Suggests that an event is going against the prevailing pattern.

running counter to

Describes an event that opposes or contradicts something else.

FAQs

How can I use "improbable to happen" in a sentence?

You can use "improbable to happen" when discussing events or outcomes that are unlikely but still possible. For example, "Given the team's poor performance, a championship win is improbable to happen this year."

What's a more formal way to say "improbable to happen"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "unlikely to occur" or "scarcely possible". These alternatives provide a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

What words are similar in meaning to "improbable to happen"?

Synonyms include "unlikely to occur", "not likely to happen", or "remotely possible". These options all convey the idea that something is not very probable.

Is it correct to say "impossible to happen" instead of "improbable to happen"?

While similar, "impossible to happen" and "improbable to happen" have different meanings. "Impossible" means that something cannot occur under any circumstances, while "improbable" suggests a low likelihood but acknowledges that it is still within the realm of possibility.