it looks improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks 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 looks improbable that we will meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now the prime minister may be facing his own Flodden at a parliamentary by-election in Glasgow East, hitherto one of the safest seats in Labour's Scottish heartlands.At first sight, it looks improbable.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yet before the 2010 election it looked improbable that Britain would be as far down the road to fragmentation as it is now.

The Economist

Barcelona made an indifferent start to the 2000 01 season and by February 2001, journalist Sid Lowe commented it looked improbable that Lorenzo Serra Ferrer would remain as manager of the club.

Wikipedia

That still looks improbable, though it has to be said that many improbable things - nationalisation of large chunks of the UK banking system, for example - have happened in the past 18 months.

The Guardian - Business

"A return to high growth looks improbable today, but paraphrasing Nelson Mandela, it always looks improbable until it's done," he said.

The New York Times

That looks improbable.

The Economist

That now looks improbable.

The Economist

That looks improbable, and possibly unwise.

The Economist

Presently, a recall of the governor looks improbable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Given his team's unproductive league form, that looks improbable.

The Guardian - Sport

Serious progress in the immediate future still looks improbable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it looks improbable" when you want to express a well-reasoned doubt based on available information. It implies a considered assessment of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "it looks improbable" when the outcome is already known or certain. The phrase is best suited for situations where there is still a degree of uncertainty, not a foregone conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks improbable" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective assessment of the likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it looks improbable" is a versatile phrase used to express a reasoned doubt about the likelihood of a certain event. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it is best used when there is a genuine element of uncertainty. Alternatives such as "it seems unlikely" or "it appears doubtful" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. To avoid errors, ensure that you're not using it when an outcome is already known. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing skepticism in a balanced and informed manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems unlikely

Replaces "looks" with "seems" and "improbable" with "unlikely", offering a more common alternative.

it appears doubtful

Substitutes "looks" with "appears" and "improbable" with "doubtful", indicating uncertainty.

it's hardly likely

Uses "hardly likely" to emphasize the low probability.

the chances are slim

Employs a more figurative expression to convey a low probability of success.

it's a long shot

Indicates a very low probability of success, suggesting a risky attempt.

it's against the odds

Highlights the unfavorable circumstances that make success unlikely.

it's not very promising

Suggests a lack of positive indicators or favorable prospects.

the outlook is bleak

Uses a more pessimistic tone, emphasizing the negative prospects.

success is questionable

Directly questions the likelihood of achieving success.

it defies expectation

Suggests that the event is so unlikely it goes against what is normally anticipated.

FAQs

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

You can use "it looks improbable" to express that something is unlikely to happen. For instance, "Given the current economic climate, "it looks improbable" that interest rates will rise this year".

What are some alternatives to "it looks improbable"?

Alternatives include "it seems unlikely", "it appears doubtful", or "the chances are slim", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it looks improbable" formal or informal?

"It looks improbable" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "it appears doubtful".

What's the difference between "it looks improbable" and "it's impossible"?

"It looks improbable" suggests a low probability but not a complete impossibility. "It's impossible" indicates that something cannot happen under any circumstances.