increase the likelihood of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase the likelihood of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to make something more probable or likely to happen. Example: By exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet, you can increase the likelihood of living a longer life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Why increase the likelihood of distraction?

The New Yorker

But looser rules also increase the likelihood of unintended consequences.

The New Yorker

involvement itself "can increase the likelihood of future delinquent activity".

The New Yorker

Positive ratings also increase the likelihood of later positive ratings.

Harvard Business Review

All these foodstuffs increase the likelihood of eroded teeth.

Nature

This can increase the likelihood of them taking you seriously.

Columbia University

Convergent marketing channels increase the likelihood of confusion.

Harvard University

Sons increase the likelihood of CEO succession contest constraints.

Journal of Family Business Strategy

Soft bedding can increase the likelihood of a baby suffocating.

The New York Times

This will really increase the likelihood of their returning to volunteer.

The Guardian

This may increase the likelihood of an abnormal chromosome number, should fertilization occur.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase the likelihood of", ensure that the action or factor causing the increase is clearly identified to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, "Regular exercise increases the likelihood of improved cardiovascular health."

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs with plural subjects when using "increase the likelihood of". For instance, instead of saying "Factors increases the likelihood of...", use "Factors increase the likelihood of...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the likelihood of" functions as a connector indicating a cause-and-effect relationship. It highlights that a particular action or condition makes a specific outcome more probable. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase the likelihood of" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express that one action or condition makes a particular outcome more probable. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely accepted and used across numerous contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific research and academic writing. The analysis reveals that while alternatives such as "improve the chances of" or "raise the probability of" exist, they may carry slightly different connotations or levels of formality. Therefore, choosing "increase the likelihood of" often provides a balance of clarity and professionalism suitable for a broad range of communication needs. The common usage errors associated with this phrase primarily revolve around subject-verb agreement, emphasizing the importance of careful grammatical construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise the probability of

Uses "probability" instead of "likelihood", providing a more statistical nuance.

improve the chances of

Employs "chances" in place of "likelihood", resulting in a less formal tone.

boost the odds of

Replaces "likelihood" with "odds", offering a more informal and gambling-related connotation.

make more likely

Simplifies the structure to a verb and adjective, reducing formality.

enhance the prospect of

Substitutes "likelihood" with "prospect", adding a sense of anticipation or future possibility.

augment the potential for

Replaces "likelihood" with "potential", focusing on the inherent capacity for something to occur.

contribute to a higher probability of

Adds a sense of causation and a more detailed explanation of the effect.

favor the possibility of

Emphasizes the possibility as being favored, with a slightly different focus.

play a role in increasing the chances of

Highlights the contributing factor rather than a direct increase.

be conducive to

Uses a more formal and concise phrase to indicate a favorable influence.

FAQs

How can I use "increase the likelihood of" in a sentence?

Use "increase the likelihood of" to indicate that a specific action or condition makes a particular outcome more probable. For example, "Investing in employee training can "increase the likelihood of" higher productivity".

What are some alternatives to "increase the likelihood of"?

You can use alternatives such as "improve the chances of", "raise the probability of", or "boost the odds of" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "increase the likelihood of" or "increase the chance of"?

Both "increase the likelihood of" and "increase the chance of" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Likelihood" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "chance", but the choice depends on the specific context and the tone you want to achieve.

What's the difference between "increase the likelihood of" and "ensure"?

"Increase the likelihood of" means making something more probable but not guaranteeing it. "Ensure" means guaranteeing that something will happen. For example, "Following safety protocols increases the likelihood of preventing accidents," versus "Following safety protocols ensures that accidents will be prevented (as much as it is in our control)."