it is not probable that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not probable that" 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 is not probable that we will meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The mitochondrial genome in higher plants is very stable, maintaining plant survival in natural environments to achieve its important functions in living activities, so it is not probable that so many cases of CMS emerge only by evolution of the mitochondrial genome over one century.

Plosone

It is not probable that the President will live throughout the night.

The New York Times

It is not probable that the richest State in the Confederacy will ever influence the choice of a single representative in any other State.

Yale University

It is not probable that she consciously deliberates; but she is most excited or attracted by the most beautiful, or melodious, or gallant males.

The New Yorker

But the navigation through the gulf of Mexico is so dangerous, & that up the Missisipi so difficult & tedious, that it is not probable that European merchandize will return through that channel.

Yale University

It is not at all clear where Peter went, but it is not probable that the words "to another place" refer to a different home in the same general area that would provide temporary refuge.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Consider this example cited by David Sanford: 'It is not probable that Providence will be hit by a comet in the 21st Century'.

SEP

But Barber did not think he could return punts because of the cast, and it's not probable that the Giants would want to expose Barber to the violent collisions and unpredictable circumstances of punt returns.

The New York Times - Sports

There are a lot of coincidences each of them are perhaps possible but it's not probable that they would all happen on the same day, at the same time, or in the same order.

Science Magazine

It's not probable that the apprentice at the lower level is going to get blown away by radically new work; it's more likely that he'll get intimidated and put it aside.

HuffPost

Even Bridenstine admits it's "not probable at all that this bill will pass in its original form".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not probable that" to express a degree of skepticism or doubt, rather than a definitive statement of impossibility. This allows for the possibility, however slim, that the event might still occur.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not probable that" when you intend to convey complete impossibility. The phrase suggests a low likelihood, not a zero chance. Use stronger terms like "impossible" or "certainly not" for absolute negation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not probable that" functions as a modal expression, specifically conveying a judgment of low probability or doubt. This usage is confirmed by the example sentences Ludwig provides, where the phrase introduces statements about uncertain future events or questionable assumptions. The phrase adds a layer of qualification, suggesting something is unlikely but not impossible.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is not probable that" is a useful phrase for expressing doubt or skepticism about a potential outcome. While grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's important to recognize its degree of formality and choose appropriate alternatives like "it is unlikely that" for less formal settings. The phrase appears across various contexts, particularly in Science, News & Media, and Academia. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey a low likelihood without completely ruling out the possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is unlikely that

This alternative directly replaces "not probable" with "unlikely", indicating a lower degree of possibility.

it is improbable that

This alternative uses "improbable", which is a more formal synonym for "not probable", suggesting a low chance of occurrence.

it is doubtful that

This alternative uses "doubtful" emphasizing uncertainty or skepticism about something happening.

it is questionable whether

This alternative introduces a direct question of certainty, making the uncertainty more explicit.

it is hardly likely that

This alternative employs "hardly likely", strengthening the sense of something being improbable.

chances are slim that

This alternative shifts the focus to the "chances", framing the situation as having minimal opportunity.

it is far-fetched to think that

This alternative suggests the idea is implausible or unrealistic.

there's little chance that

This alternative uses a more informal tone, emphasizing a small possibility.

it's a long shot that

This alternative employs an idiomatic expression, indicating a low probability of success.

it's a stretch to assume that

This alternative implies that the assumption is based on weak or insufficient evidence.

FAQs

What does "it is not probable that" mean?

The phrase "it is not probable that" indicates that something is unlikely to happen or is not expected to be true. It expresses a degree of doubt or skepticism about a particular outcome.

What can I say instead of "it is not probable that"?

You can use alternatives like "it is unlikely that", "it is improbable that", or "it is doubtful that" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "it is not probable that" formal or informal?

The phrase "it is not probable that" is generally considered to be relatively formal. Simpler alternatives like "it is unlikely that" can be used in less formal contexts.

How to use "it is not probable that" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not probable that" followed by a clause that describes the event or situation you doubt. For example, "It is not probable that the negotiations will succeed given the current disagreements."