increasing the likelihood of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increasing the likelihood of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the probability or chances of a certain event or outcome occurring. Example: "Implementing these safety measures is crucial for increasing the likelihood of preventing accidents in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This toolkit of frameworks can offer a blueprint for increasing the likelihood of an enterprise's success.

The Guardian

The original conviction was upheld on appeal, increasing the likelihood of a definitive sentence.

The New Yorker

Increasing the likelihood of detection and punishment could deter would-be assassins, officials argue.

The Guardian

"To do nothing is increasing the likelihood of attempted suicides," he argues.

The Guardian

So, instead of increasing the likelihood of a peace agreement with the Palestinians, the fence helped to decrease its possibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

Police officers hope that reconstructions will overwhelm participants with guilt or remorse, increasing the likelihood of a confession.

The Guardian - Opinion

Studies have shown that chronic sleep deprivation damages health, weakening the immune system and increasing the likelihood of illness.

The New York Times - Health

We're increasing the likelihood of strong storms and therefore it depends on whether or not you feel lucky".

The Guardian - Opinion

They were concerned about the possibility of increasing the likelihood of children born with significant birth defects in certain cases.

The Guardian

Each method can have the effect of increasing the likelihood of engine knock.

The New York Times

Last week the US Commerce Department released another strong labour market report, increasing the likelihood of a rate increase in the US.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "increasing the likelihood of" when you want to emphasize the act of making something more probable, not necessarily guaranteeing it. This phrase is suitable when discussing potential outcomes that are influenced but not entirely determined by specific actions or conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "increasing the likelihood of" when the action guarantees the outcome. This phrase suggests a probability, not a certainty. For example, instead of saying "Implementing this security protocol is increasing the likelihood of preventing data breaches", which implies it might still happen, consider using a more definitive statement if the protocol is foolproof, such as "Implementing this security protocol ensures data breach prevention".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increasing the likelihood of" functions as a verb phrase acting as a modifier, typically followed by a noun phrase that represents the event or outcome whose probability is being increased. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showcasing its role in expressing probabilistic causation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "increasing the likelihood of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe actions or conditions that make a particular outcome more probable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and versatile, fitting seamlessly into diverse contexts ranging from news reports to scientific discussions. It's important to avoid overstating causation and ensure the context aligns with expressing a probability rather than a certainty. Alternatives such as "raising the likelihood of" or "augmenting the likelihood of" can add nuance depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

augmenting the likelihood of

Uses 'augmenting' instead of 'increasing', implying an addition or enhancement to the probability.

raising the likelihood of

Substitutes 'increasing' with 'raising', suggesting a lifting or elevation of the probability.

heightening the likelihood of

Replaces 'increasing' with 'heightening', indicating an intensification of the probability.

enhancing the probability of

Employs 'enhancing' and 'probability' for a more formal tone.

boosting the chances of

Uses a more informal term 'chances' instead of 'likelihood', and 'boosting' instead of 'increasing'.

improving the odds of

Utilizes 'odds' to denote probability and 'improving' as the action.

making more probable

Rephrases the concept by directly stating that something is becoming more probable.

upping the odds of

Uses a more colloquial expression, 'upping the odds', to convey the same meaning.

contributing to a higher probability of

Indicates a contribution towards a greater probability, adding a layer of causality.

fostering a greater chance of

Uses 'fostering' to suggest nurturing or promoting a greater chance.

FAQs

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

You can use "increasing the likelihood of" to describe actions that make a specific outcome more probable. For instance, "Regular exercise is increasing the likelihood of maintaining good health".

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

You can use alternatives like "augmenting the likelihood of", "raising the likelihood of", or "heightening the likelihood of", depending on the context.

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

"Increasing the likelihood of" is generally more formal than "increasing the chance of". The choice depends on the context; "increasing the likelihood of" is often preferred in academic or professional writing, while "increasing the chance of" is suitable for informal settings.

What's the difference between "increasing the likelihood of" and "ensuring"?

"Increasing the likelihood of" suggests making an outcome more probable but not guaranteed. "Ensuring", on the other hand, implies a guarantee that the outcome will occur. For example, "Taking precautions is increasing the likelihood of staying safe" versus "Taking precautions ensures safety".