increase the probability of

USAGE SUMMARY

"increase the probability of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe actions or events that can increase the likelihood or chance of something happening. Example: Participating in regular exercise can increase the probability of maintaining a healthy weight.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Epidemiologically, an increased number of GCs will tend to increase the probability of disease occurrence.

Plosone

That can increase the probability of different diseases or pathological states".

The Guardian

This will affect soil erosion and increase the probability of floods.

The Guardian

Any internal or external attempt at regime change might increase the probability (of a nuclear calamity).

The Guardian

In theory, if parity truly is on the rise, closer games would increase the probability of dramatic goals.

The Guardian - Sport

Certainly, further breaches, fires, explosions or meltdowns will increase the probability of health problems.

The New York Times

What we do is increase the probability of the athletes getting their best performance.

Independent

Investments in keeping such people and material out of harm's way, he said, "may increase the probability of getting through the next 50 years".

The New York Times

You call statements by Vice President Dick Cheney and others that John Kerry's election would increase the probability of another terrorist attack "appalling" and "despicable".

The New York Times

So for big change, and to increase the probability of keeping your 2016 career resolution, determine your values and strengths, aim to fail and think small.

The Guardian

Think: do I want to go by bike or do I want to increase the probability of being killed by a lorry?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the increase whenever possible to provide a clearer understanding of the impact. For example, "Implementing this new policy could increase the probability of successful project completion by 20%."

Common error

Avoid using "increase the probability of" with subjects that have no direct causal relationship to the outcome. For example, avoid saying "The weather increases the probability of success", unless the weather directly influences the conditions for success. Instead, consider rephrasing to clarify the causal link or choosing a more appropriate phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the probability of" functions as a verb phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something makes a particular outcome more likely to occur. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase the probability of" is a versatile expression used to denote that a particular action or factor makes an outcome more likely. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted in various contexts. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal business domains, this phrase serves to establish a causal link between an action and a potential result. While the phrase is considered grammatically correct it is often used in formal or neutral registers, but can be replaced by more informal phrases like "raise the chance of" depending on the context. Remember to clarify the causal relationship in your sentence and consider quantifying the increase for a more precise meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the likelihood of

Replaces "probability" with "likelihood", a direct synonym, maintaining identical meaning.

raise the chance of

Uses "chance" instead of "probability" and "raise" instead of "increase", offering a more informal tone.

enhance the odds of

Substitutes "probability" with "odds" and "increase" with "enhance", implying a more statistical perspective.

improve the prospect of

Replaces "probability" with "prospect", focusing on the potential or possibility of an event.

boost the potential for

Uses "potential" instead of "probability", highlighting the inherent capacity for something to happen.

augment the likelihood of

Replaces "increase" with "augment", suggesting a more significant enhancement of the likelihood.

heighten the possibility of

Uses "possibility" instead of "probability" and "heighten" for "increase", emphasizing a greater chance.

maximize the prospects for

Focuses on maximizing the potential outcomes, rather than simply increasing the likelihood.

contribute to a higher likelihood of

Indicates that something is a contributing factor to the increased likelihood, rather than the direct cause.

make more probable that

Changes the structure to a clause, focusing on making an event more likely.

FAQs

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

Use "increase the probability of" to describe actions or factors that make a specific outcome more likely. For example, "Regular exercise can "increase the probability of" maintaining good health."

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

You can use alternatives such as "increase the likelihood of", "raise the chance of", or "enhance the odds of", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

"Increase the probability of" is generally considered more formal and precise, while "increase the chance of" is more informal. The best choice depends on the context and audience.

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

"Increase the probability of" suggests making something more likely, but not guaranteed. "Ensure" implies a guarantee or certainty of the outcome. For example, "Careful planning can "increase the probability of" success", but "Following all safety protocols can ensure a safe operation."