it's unlikely that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's unlikely that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English
It is typically used to express doubt or uncertainty about a situation or outcome. Here are some examples: 1. It's unlikely that we will be able to finish the project on time, considering how much work still needs to be done. 2. Despite her efforts, it's unlikely that she will win the competition, as there are many talented contestants. 3. It's unlikely that the government will pass the bill, given the strong opposition from the opposing party. 4. With the current economic climate, it's unlikely that we will see significant growth in the stock market. 5. It's unlikely that we will be able to travel abroad this year, with all the travel restrictions in place. In all of these examples, "it's unlikely that" is used to express a low probability or expectation of something happening.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's unlikely that will stop.

TechCrunch

It's unlikely that the President's huff cost him the vote, but it's unlikely that it helped him, either.

The New Yorker

It's unlikely that Trump will see King's latest post, however.

Huffington Post

It's unlikely that he will remarry.

The New Yorker

It's unlikely that we'll ever meet".

The New Yorker

It's unlikely that they'll be calling Francis.

The New Yorker

It's unlikely that we will ever know.

The New York Times - Travel

It's unlikely that you've ever visited.

The New Yorker

It's unlikely that it will increase it.

The New York Times

It's unlikely that censorship will entirely disappear.

The Guardian - Books

It's unlikely that the foreign-investment committee will stop it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's unlikely that" to express a measured degree of doubt or low probability, avoiding stronger terms unless the situation warrants it. This phrase is suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it's unlikely that" when the outcome is already known or highly certain. Choose stronger phrases like "it's impossible that" or "it will not happen" for definitive situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's unlikely that" primarily functions as a modal expression to convey a degree of uncertainty or low probability. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to qualify a statement, indicating that the speaker or writer believes the stated outcome is not probable. The examples on Ludwig showcase the phrase used to temper expectations or express doubt.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"It's unlikely that" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express doubt or low probability. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts, primarily within news and media, but also in scientific and business settings. While versatile, careful attention to the context is important; stronger expressions should be employed when certainty is high, and careful attention should be paid to choosing alternative phrases for slight shifts in meaning. As this analysis shows, "it's unlikely that" is a nuanced expression suitable for both general and specific communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's improbable that

Replaces "unlikely" with "improbable", suggesting a slightly stronger degree of doubt.

it's not very probable that

Uses a more formal tone to express a low probability.

it's doubtful that

Substitutes "unlikely" with "doubtful", indicating uncertainty or skepticism.

it's a slim chance that

Synonymous phrase indicating very low probability or possibility.

there's little chance that

Uses a different structure to convey a low probability of something happening.

i doubt that

Expresses a personal feeling of uncertainty or disbelief about a statement.

it's questionable whether

Replaces the entire phrase to focus on whether something is open to question.

the odds are against

Uses a different sentence structure to express a low probability.

it's far-fetched that

Uses the word 'far-fetched' to convey that something is difficult to believe or unlikely to happen.

it's a long shot that

Employs an idiomatic expression to suggest that something is possible but not probable.

FAQs

What does "it's unlikely that" mean?

The phrase "it's unlikely that" indicates a low probability or a small chance of something happening. It suggests that while something is not impossible, it is not expected or probable.

How to use "it's unlikely that" in a sentence?

You can use "it's unlikely that" to express doubt or uncertainty about a future event or a general statement. For instance, "it's unlikely that the project will be completed on time" suggests that the project's timely completion is doubtful.

What can I say instead of "it's unlikely that"?

You can use alternatives like "it's improbable that", "it's doubtful that", or "there's little chance that" depending on the context.

Is "it's unlikely that" formal or informal?

"It's unlikely that" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific audience and choose more formal alternatives like "it's not very probable that" for highly formal situations.