it appears improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appears improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a certain event or situation occurring. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it appears improbable that we will meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But it appears improbable.

The Economist

A natural booster to JE immunity acquired during the trip cannot be excluded, yet it appears improbable.

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This season it appeared improbable.

The New York Times - Sports

The Yankees have the exclusive rights to negotiate with Rodriguez until 10 days after the World Series, but Boras's remarks make it appear improbable that there will be substantive discussions.

The New York Times - Sports

It thus appears improbable that misclassification should be responsible for the observed interactions.

Plosone

A deal between the Raptors and the Cavaliers appears improbable.

The New York Times

At this point, impeachment of enough MPs to trigger dissolution of the house appears improbable.

The Economist

With Europe and Russia having slipped down on the Pentagon's priority list, a new Cuban missile crisis appears improbable.

The New York Times

The idea that Moussaoui met with a Saudi diplomat in Kandahar is just about feasible, though a discussion with one about a plan to fire stingers at Air Force One in Washington appears improbable.

The Guardian

In the past, social systems have lacked the technical sophistication to sustain life beyond rudimentary levels, and there has been little practical speculation about what appears improbable.

Huffington Post

But this appears improbable because these molecules would have to diffuse only into one neighbouring cuvette (i.e. the right one).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it appears improbable", ensure the context clearly establishes what outcome is being assessed as unlikely. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it appears improbable" when a situation is definitively impossible. Reserve it for scenarios where there is a small chance of occurrence, not absolute certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears improbable" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective assessment of the likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for expressing doubt or skepticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it appears improbable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express doubt or skepticism. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage in written English. While suitable across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communication, it's crucial to avoid overstating improbability when a situation is definitively impossible. Alternatives like "it seems unlikely" or "it is doubtful" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remember to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems unlikely

Replaces "appears improbable" with a more common synonym.

it is unlikely

Simplifies the phrasing while retaining the core meaning of low probability.

it is doubtful

Emphasizes uncertainty or skepticism about the possibility.

the odds are against it

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey low probability.

it's a long shot

Implies that success is possible but highly improbable.

it's questionable

Focuses on the uncertainty and potential issues surrounding the possibility.

it is hardly likely

Emphasizes the lack of likelihood using "hardly".

a positive outcome is not expected

A more formal and descriptive way of expressing low expectations.

success is far from certain

Highlights the uncertainty of achieving a favorable result.

the prospect is remote

Suggests the possibility is distant and unlikely to materialize.

FAQs

What does "it appears improbable" mean?

The phrase "it appears improbable" means that something seems unlikely to happen or is not expected to occur. It suggests a low probability of a particular outcome.

How can I use "it appears improbable" in a sentence?

You can use "it appears improbable" to express doubt about a future event. For example: "Given the current economic climate, "it appears improbable" that the company will reach its sales goals."

Which is a better alternative to "it appears improbable": "it seems unlikely" or "it is impossible"?

The better alternative depends on the context. "It seems unlikely" suggests a low probability, while ""it is impossible"" indicates that something cannot occur under any circumstances. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of certainty.

Are there more formal alternatives to "it appears improbable"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "the prospect is remote" or "a positive outcome is not expected" for more formal situations.