it seemed improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seemed improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a particular event or situation occurring. Example: "Given the circumstances, it seemed improbable that they would succeed in their mission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Not only did it seem unlikely, it seemed improbable.

The New York Times

It seemed improbable the Angels would have a chance this season.

The New York Times - Sports

It seemed improbable that agents would find written proof that Clinton intended to violate the law.

The New Yorker

IT seemed improbable in 1994 that Ken Burns would ever feel compelled to update his nine-part documentary on baseball.

The New York Times - Arts

It seemed improbable that Trump's campaign would succeed, so Schwartz told himself that he needn't worry much.

The New Yorker

It seemed improbable, but Sikorski, the rookie, was much sharper than El Duque, who used to be the Yankees' ace.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Could they, one day soon, be America's newest entrepreneurs, providing contract transport services between Baltimore city and the surrounding counties?It seems improbable.

The Economist

It seems improbable.

The Economist

It seems improbable enough.

The Guardian - Sport

But it seems improbable now.

The New Yorker

It seems improbable he will this season, but not impossible.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seemed improbable" to express a reasoned judgment about the unlikelihood of an event, based on available evidence or understanding. It's best suited when you want to convey a sense of measured skepticism rather than outright disbelief.

Common error

Avoid using "it seemed improbable" when you actually mean something was impossible or clearly false. The phrase suggests a degree of uncertainty, so reserve it for situations where there's still a slight chance, however slim, that the event could occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seemed improbable" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective assessment of the likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Examples show its use in various contexts to convey doubt or skepticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seemed improbable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a reasoned judgment about the unlikelihood of an event. As validated by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used across various contexts, especially in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. While alternatives like "it appeared unlikely" and "it looked improbable" exist, "it seemed improbable" offers a balance of neutrality and formality suitable for professional and informative writing. Be mindful not to overstate with this phrase, reserving it for situations where uncertainty still exists, and a slim chance remains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appeared unlikely

Replaces "seemed" with "appeared", slightly altering the emphasis while maintaining the core meaning.

it looked improbable

Substitutes "seemed" with "looked", focusing on visual perception rather than general assessment.

it felt improbable

Uses "felt" instead of "seemed", indicating a subjective sense of improbability.

it was improbable

Removes "seemed", stating improbability as a fact rather than an impression.

it seemed far-fetched

Replaces "improbable" with "far-fetched", suggesting a more extreme level of unlikelihood.

it seemed a long shot

Uses the idiom "a long shot" to convey that the event was unlikely to occur.

it seemed a remote possibility

Emphasizes the distance or remoteness of the possibility.

it seemed against the odds

Highlights that the circumstances made success unlikely.

it seemed out of the question

Indicates that the event was not even worth considering as a possibility.

it seemed like a pipe dream

Implies that the idea was unrealistic and fanciful.

FAQs

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

You can use "it seemed improbable" to express a judgment about the unlikelihood of something, as in, "Given the team's poor performance, "it seemed improbable" that they would win the championship."

What are some alternatives to "it seemed improbable"?

Alternatives include "it appeared unlikely", "it seemed unlikely", or "it looked improbable", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seemed improbable" the same as "it was improbable"?

Not exactly. "It seemed improbable" suggests a subjective assessment, while "it was improbable" states it as a more objective fact. The former implies a judgment based on observation, the latter a statement of inherent unlikelihood.

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

"It seemed improbable" conveys a low probability, while "it seemed impossible" suggests no possibility at all. Improbable implies a small chance remains, whereas impossible indicates no chance.