improbable to occur

USAGE SUMMARY

"improbable to occur" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unlikely or not likely to happen. Example: Winning the lottery multiple times in a row is highly improbable to occur.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Furthermore, the oxidization of the post-ablated pure indium nanodomains from the atmospheric oxygen or the direct transformation of the crystal phase of InN to In2O3 are improbable to occur because oxidization via those pathways is energetically unfavorable.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

ETAD said pigments are incorporated into products in such a way that environmental or human exposure to these PCBs is unlikely to occur and that release of any PCBs is "improbable until both polymeric matrix and the pigments degrade".

Environmental Health Perspectives

However, after what may well have been the most improbable confluence of events to occur in a professional sport within a single day in history, it seems an entirely apt description of baseball.Let's turn back the clock a few weeks.

The Economist

Since all organisms appear to be capable of synthesizing both fatty acids and isoprenoids, our scenario suggests that no major, improbable reconversions would have had to occur when converting one type of membrane into the other one.

Biology Direct

It may be acknowledged that the patient could emerge from this state at any time; however, the decision to remove the feeding tube must be made on the basis of what realistically can be expected to occur, not the hope of an uncertain or improbable event.

Critical Care

"For a bubble to occur we would need to see five year price rises of 35 per cent to 40 per cent and/or mortgage interest rates of around 7 per cent, which seems improbable.

Independent

That very improbable things will often happen is entirely predictable from the sheer number of opportunities each day provides for exceptions to the norm to occur.

The Guardian - Opinion

If so you're also probably now well versed in the ways of this type of bloke – the slightly pudgy everyman to whom truly extraordinary and increasingly improbable events occur purely as a result of an inability to control his gambling impulses.

The Guardian - Sport

Her wrenching trip to America with her daughter, and its improbable aftermath, occur more than three-quarters of the way through this sparkling biography.

The New York Times - Books

"Nothing is impossible to it; the most improbable things commonly occur there.

The New Yorker

This shows that result from the survey, that 40 of 41 temples face east, is a highly improbable result to have occurred by chance.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger synonyms like "impossible" or "highly unlikely" if the situation warrants a more emphatic expression of improbability.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "improbable to occur" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "unlikely to happen" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improbable to occur" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun, indicating that a specific event or outcome has a low likelihood of happening. Ludwig provides examples across various contexts, confirming its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improbable to occur" is grammatically sound but not overly frequent. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, and functions to express a low likelihood of something happening. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides several examples from credible sources. For more informal settings, alternatives like "unlikely to happen" may be more appropriate. Although correct, its use should be carefully considered in relation to the target audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely to happen

Focuses on the action of happening, emphasizing the low chance of an event taking place.

not likely to occur

A more direct and simple way of expressing that something is improbable.

unlikely to take place

Similar to "unlikely to happen", but uses 'take place' to emphasize the event's unfolding.

rarely occurs

Highlights the infrequency of the event, suggesting it's uncommon.

seldom happens

Emphasizes the infrequent nature of the event, implying it doesn't occur often.

has a low probability of occurring

More formal and scientific, focusing on the statistical likelihood of the event.

with little likelihood of happening

Highlights the lack of a good chance for the event to come to pass.

scarcely happens

Similar to "seldom happens", stressing how infrequently something occurs.

uncommon occurrence

Shifts the focus to the event itself being rare, rather than the action of occurring.

against all odds

Emphasizes that the event is highly unlikely, suggesting it defies expectations.

FAQs

What does "improbable to occur" mean?

The phrase "improbable to occur" means that something is unlikely or has a low chance of happening. It suggests that the event in question is not probable or expected.

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

You can use "improbable to occur" to describe events that are not expected or likely. For example: "It is improbable for that to occur."

What are some alternatives to "improbable to occur"?

Some alternatives to "improbable to occur" include "unlikely to happen", "not likely to occur", or "rarely occurs".

Is it more correct to say "unlikely to occur" or "improbable to occur"?

Both "unlikely to occur" and "improbable to occur" are grammatically correct. However, "unlikely to occur" is generally more common and may sound more natural in everyday conversation, while "improbable to occur" carries a more formal tone.