is rather unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather unlikely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express doubt or skepticism about the probability of a certain event or situation occurring. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it is rather unlikely that we will meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We think a rights issue is rather unlikely.

The Guardian - Business

Alas, this strategy is rather unlikely to work.And will the public endorse Mr Pound's Olympian idealism?

The Economist

Incomplete deoxidation is rather unlikely since the defect holes are not randomly distributed.

Nanoscale Research Letters

In our opinion it is rather unlikely that this is related to differences in postoperative rehabilitation between the groups.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Likewise, trials suggest that for the inner loop it is rather unlikely that more than two iterations are required.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Its porosity is very low, as the SEM observation of the cross-section showed, and as a result it is rather unlikely to affect its tribological properties.

Surface and Coatings Technology

However, for the carbon particles used in this study, it is rather unlikely that mass transfer enhancement takes place due to the well-known shuttle or grazing effect.

Chemical Engineering Science

It is rather unlikely than anyone who arrives in Sweden after age 60 ever gets a foothold in the Swedish labor market.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

Another advantage of the insertion region is the fact that root contact or traumatic interference with anatomical structures is rather unlikely [21, 22].

Progress in Orthodontics

Due to the strongly developed VET-system and the obligation to stay in education up to a certain age this decision is rather unlikely in Germany.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

This is rather unlikely (contrary to Beisbart, 2012) because thought experiments and computer simulations seem to involve different kinds of simulation and have different aims.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather unlikely" to express a moderate degree of doubt or skepticism, suggesting that something is not probable but not impossible either. Choose this phrase when you want to be less emphatic than using "highly unlikely".

Common error

Avoid using multiple qualifiers such as "very rather unlikely" or "extremely rather unlikely" as they can sound redundant and awkward. Stick to a single, well-chosen qualifier to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather unlikely" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a moderate degree of improbability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English. It's used to temper expectations or express skepticism without outright dismissal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is rather unlikely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a moderate level of doubt or improbability. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is both correct and usable. Predominantly found in scientific literature but also present in news and business contexts, it serves to temper expectations or express skepticism without definitively ruling out a possibility. When aiming for stronger disbelief, consider alternatives such as "is highly improbable" or simply "is unlikely". Always be mindful of the context to ensure the chosen expression accurately reflects the intended degree of doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite improbable

Changes the adjective to 'improbable' for a slightly more formal tone.

is highly improbable

Intensifies the improbability using 'highly' instead of 'rather'.

is not very probable

Uses a negative construction to express a similar level of doubt.

is not very likely

Replaces 'rather unlikely' with 'not very likely' for a simpler phrasing.

is quite doubtful

Employs 'doubtful' as an alternative adjective, implying uncertainty.

is scarcely possible

Indicates a very low probability of occurrence.

is a long shot

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a low chance of success.

the odds are against it

Focuses on the unfavorable odds or chances of something happening.

it's a slim chance

Highlights the minimal possibility or likelihood of an event.

don't bet on it

A more informal and direct way of expressing strong doubt or disbelief.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather unlikely" in a sentence?

Use "is rather unlikely" to express a moderate degree of doubt about a particular outcome. For example, "Given the current market conditions, it "is rather unlikely" that the company will achieve its projected growth targets."

What can I say instead of "is rather unlikely"?

You can use alternatives like "is quite improbable", "is not very likely", or "is doubtful" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "is rather unlikely" or "is highly unlikely"?

"Is highly unlikely" suggests a stronger degree of improbability than ""is rather unlikely"". Choose the phrase that best matches the level of doubt you want to convey.

What's the difference between "is rather unlikely" and "is unlikely"?

Adding "rather" softens the statement. "Is rather unlikely" expresses a slightly weaker level of doubt compared to simply saying "is unlikely", which indicates a more straightforward assessment of improbability.