is less likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

"is less likely to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express a reduced possibility or probability compared to something else. Example: "Someone who exercises regularly is less likely to develop health issues than someone who leads a sedentary lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Online, that is less likely to happen.

The New York Times

This is less likely to happen to younger women.

Harvard University

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

Its smaller bulk is less likely to intimidate subjects.

The New York Times - Tech

That is less likely to happen after Tuesday.

The New York Times

Mr. Romney is less likely to stroll casually at all.

The New York Times

And who, if elected, is less likely to unpleasantly surprise?

The Washington Post

One is less likely to inform on their relatives.

The Washington Post

He is less likely to climb much higher.

The Economist

"A better educated household is less likely to be poor".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is less likely to", ensure you provide a clear comparison or context to highlight what it's being compared to. For example, "Using public transportation is less likely to cause traffic congestion than driving a personal vehicle."

Common error

Avoid using "is less likely to" without specifying what it is being compared to. Saying "This product is less likely to fail" is vague. Instead, specify: "This product is less likely to fail than its predecessor due to improved materials."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is less likely to" functions as a qualifier of probability. It modifies a verb or action to indicate a reduced chance of occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

30%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is less likely to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express a diminished probability or possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various domains. It is most frequently encountered in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, remember to provide a clear comparison or context to ensure clarity. While effective in both formal and informal settings, it is important to maintain a neutral tone and provide the necessary background information to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unlikely to

A more direct and concise way of stating that something is not expected to happen.

is not as likely to

Emphasizes a comparison, indicating that something is less probable compared to something else.

is less probable to

Changes the wording while keeping the same idea of reduced likelihood.

is less liable to

Similar to "less probable", but with a slightly stronger implication of potential negative consequences.

is less apt to

Replaces "likely" with "apt", suggesting a natural tendency that is diminished.

is less expected to

Focuses on the anticipation or expectation of an event, rather than its pure probability.

is not prone to

Suggests a lack of inclination or susceptibility towards something.

is at a lower risk of

Frames the reduced probability in terms of risk assessment and potential danger.

is less inclined to

Highlights a reduced willingness or preference to do something.

is less disposed to

Indicates a reduced tendency or predisposition towards something.

FAQs

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

Use "is less likely to" to express a reduced probability or possibility. For example, "A well-maintained car "is less likely to" break down than a neglected one."

What's a simple alternative to "is less likely to"?

A simpler alternative is "unlikely to". For example, instead of "It is less likely to rain today", you can say "It's "unlikely to" rain today."

Is it better to use "less likely to" or "unlikely to"?

Both "less likely to" and "unlikely to" are correct, but "less likely to" often implies a comparison, while "unlikely to" is a more general statement of improbability. Use "less likely to" when comparing two scenarios and "unlikely to" for a simple statement.

What is the difference between "is less likely to" and "is more likely to"?

"Is less likely to" indicates a lower probability of something occurring, while "is more likely to" indicates a higher probability. They are opposites; for example, "Exercising regularly "is less likely to" cause heart disease" versus "Smoking "is more likely to" cause heart disease."