increases the likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

"increases the likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation in which a certain factor makes it more likely that something else will happen. For example, "The availability of educational resources increases the likelihood that students will succeed academically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It increases the likelihood of a daytime delivery.

The New York Times - Health

Turf increases the likelihood of injuries, including career-ending ones.

The New Yorker

Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of diabetes complications.

The New York Times

It also drastically increases the likelihood of unhealthy romantic and sexual relationships.

The Guardian

But streamlining the process only increases the likelihood that innocent people will die.

The New Yorker

It increases the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will keep short-term interest rates low.

The New York Times

It increases the likelihood that TONY CLARK will make the roster, backing up JASON GIAMBI...

The New York Times - Sports

Still, one factor increases the likelihood of eventual punishment for Enron defendants.

The New York Times

He added: "It also increases the likelihood that we will see more acts of violence".

The Guardian

That increases the likelihood that users will click on those ads, which creates revenue for Google.

The New York Times - Tech

Manufacturers can make equipment that inadvertently increases the likelihood of repetitive stress injuries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increases the likelihood", ensure that the causal relationship is clear and well-supported by evidence. Avoid vague statements and provide specific examples to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "increases the likelihood" when the effect is only marginal or speculative. Overstating the impact can weaken your credibility. Be cautious about using this phrase when discussing outcomes that are highly uncertain or influenced by numerous factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increases the likelihood" functions as a verbal phrase that indicates causation or correlation. It signifies that a particular action, condition, or factor makes a specific outcome more probable. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increases the likelihood" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a particular factor makes a specific outcome more probable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English and is frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and other informative contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the causal relationship is clearly established and supported by evidence. Avoid overstating the certainty of the effect and be mindful of the potential influence of other variables. Alternatives such as "raises the probability" or "boosts the chances" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. The phrase functions primarily to express probability, contributing to argumentation or explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raises the probability

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability", implying a more formal or statistical tone.

makes it more probable

This is a more direct and simplified way of expressing the same idea, suitable for less formal contexts.

boosts the chances

Uses "chances" for "likelihood" and "boosts" for "increases", suggesting a more informal and optimistic connotation.

fosters a greater chance

Uses "fosters" to replace "increases", suggesting a nurturing or supportive role in making something more likely.

enhances the odds

Uses "odds" as a substitute for "likelihood", implying a statistical or gambling context.

heightens the prospect

Substitutes "likelihood" with "prospect", indicating a future-oriented and potentially less certain outcome.

augments the expectancy

Replaces "likelihood" with "expectancy", suggesting a formal and predictive tone.

promotes the possibility

Employs "possibility" instead of "likelihood", suggesting a weaker degree of certainty.

creates a higher propensity

Employs "propensity" instead of "likelihood", emphasizing a natural inclination or tendency.

contributes to the potential

Replaces the core concept with "potential", shifting the focus to inherent capacity rather than immediate probability.

FAQs

How can I use "increases the likelihood" in a sentence?

Use "increases the likelihood" to indicate that a specific action or condition makes a particular outcome more probable. For example, "Regular exercise "increases the likelihood" of maintaining a healthy weight".

What are some alternatives to "increases the likelihood"?

You can use phrases such as "raises the probability", "boosts the chances", or "heightens the prospect" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to say "increases the likelihood" or "increases the probability"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "increases the probability" tends to be used in more formal or statistical contexts, while ""increases the likelihood"" is more common in general usage.

What factors should I consider when determining if something "increases the likelihood" of an event?

Consider the strength of the causal relationship, the availability of supporting evidence, and the potential influence of other variables. A well-supported claim that something ""increases the likelihood"" of an event should be based on reliable data and logical reasoning.