is less likely

USAGE SUMMARY

'is less likely' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two things and indicate that one of them has a lower probability or chance of occurring than the other. For example, "Getting a job without a college degree is less likely than with one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obama-Clinton is less likely.

The New Yorker

Online, that is less likely to happen.

The New York Times

Upward mobility is less likely.

Cornell University

Hence, a joint response is less likely.

Columbia University

Much more than that is less likely.

The New York Times

That is less likely, given Pugh's inexperience.

The New York Times - Sports

A sunny area is less likely to harbor any fleas.

Columbia University

This is less likely to happen to younger women.

Harvard University

Getting the Legislature's needed approval is less likely.

The New York Times

That is less likely to be the case in Scotland.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without immediate CPR, defibrillation is less likely to succeed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the likelihood of two different outcomes, clearly state both outcomes to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This is less likely", specify "This outcome is less likely than that outcome".

Common error

Avoid using "is less likely" without a clear point of comparison. Ensure the sentence specifies what the subject is less likely than to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is less likely" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It expresses a lower probability or reduced chance of something occurring. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in English writing, as evidenced by the numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Academia

28%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is less likely" is a grammatically sound and versatile comparative adjective phrase widely used to express reduced probability or chance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its adaptability makes it suitable for various writing styles, from formal academic papers to everyday conversations. While very common in diverse contexts such as "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science", it's crucial to use it with a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Remember to consider semantically related alternatives like "is less probable" or "is unlikely" to enhance your writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential pitfalls, you can effectively use "is less likely" to convey nuanced assessments of probability in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is less probable

Replaces "likely" with "probable", a synonym indicating a similar degree of possibility.

is not as likely

Uses a negative construction to express a reduced likelihood.

is less apt

Substitutes "likely" with "apt", suggesting a decreased tendency or inclination.

is unlikely

Offers a more direct and concise way to state that something is not expected to happen.

has a lower probability

Rephrases the concept using "probability", emphasizing a statistical perspective.

is a smaller chance

Uses "chance" instead of "likelihood", providing a more informal alternative.

is not as probable

Combines negative construction with the term "probable" to express a lower chance.

is less inclined

Shifts the focus to a reduced inclination or tendency, implying a lower likelihood.

is less prone

Emphasizes a decreased susceptibility or vulnerability.

is not expected

Focuses on the lack of expectation, implying a reduced likelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "is less likely" in a sentence?

Use "is less likely" to compare the probabilities of two different events or outcomes. For instance, "A sunny day "is less likely" in winter than in summer".

What are some alternatives to "is less likely"?

You can use phrases like "is less probable", "is unlikely", or "has a lower probability" as alternatives to "is less likely", depending on the context.

How does "is less likely" differ from "is unlikely"?

"Is less likely" implies a comparison, suggesting one outcome has a smaller chance than another. "Is unlikely" simply states that an outcome is improbable, without explicit comparison. For instance: "Rain "is less likely" today than yesterday" versus "Rain is unlikely today".

Is it correct to say "is lower likely" instead of "is less likely"?

No, "is lower likely" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""is less likely"". "Lower" is typically used to describe a physical position or numerical value, while "less" is used for abstract comparisons.