it seemed unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seemed unlikely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "Given the circumstances, it seemed unlikely that they would finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seemed unlikely.

The New York Times - Magazine

It seemed unlikely then.

The New York Times

Still, it seemed unlikely.

The New York Times

It seemed unlikely that prosecutions would follow.

The Economist

It seemed unlikely that many would.

The New York Times

said Meet me, it seemed unlikely.

The Guardian - Books

A few days ago, it seemed unlikely.

The New York Times - Sports

It seemed unlikely that the driver survived.

The New York Times - Magazine

It seemed unlikely that they would ever work together again.

The New Yorker

(It seemed unlikely that he had a spade void).

The New York Times

It seemed unlikely that any of the bills would pass.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure to avoid monotony. Instead of always starting a sentence with "it seemed unlikely", try phrases like "Unlikely as it seemed..." or "Despite the hope, it seemed unlikely..."

Common error

Avoid using "it seemed unlikely" when you mean something is absolutely impossible. The phrase suggests a low probability, not a zero probability. Use stronger terms like "impossible" or "inconceivable" if there is no chance of the event occurring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seemed unlikely" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective assessment of the probability of an event or situation. It conveys a sense of doubt or skepticism based on available information or perceived circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seemed unlikely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey doubt or skepticism about the probability of an event, and Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific writing, it serves to signal a reasoned judgment rather than an absolute statement. To enhance your writing, remember to use it appropriately, avoiding its misuse for absolute impossibilities. Consider alternatives like "it appeared improbable" or "it looked doubtful" to add variety to your sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appeared improbable

Replaces "seemed" with "appeared" and "unlikely" with "improbable", maintaining a formal tone and conveying a similar degree of doubt.

it looked doubtful

Uses more direct language, replacing "seemed" with "looked" and "unlikely" with "doubtful", indicating a clear lack of expectation.

it was improbable

Shortens the phrase while retaining the core meaning of improbability.

it was questionable

Shifts the focus to the validity or certainty of something, rather than its likelihood.

it was doubtful

Directly expresses doubt about a future outcome.

it was far-fetched

Implies the idea is unrealistic or difficult to believe.

the odds were against it

Indicates that the probability of success is low.

it defied expectation

Focuses on the unexpected nature of an event or outcome.

there was little chance

Explicitly states the low probability of something happening.

it wasn't promising

Suggests a negative outlook or a lack of positive indicators.

FAQs

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

Use "it seemed unlikely" to express doubt or skepticism about a particular situation or outcome. For example: "Given the circumstances, "it seemed unlikely" that they would finish the project on time."

What can I say instead of "it seemed unlikely"?

You can use alternatives like "it appeared improbable", "it looked doubtful", or "it was questionable" depending on the context.

Is "it seemed unlikely" the same as "it was impossible"?

No, ""it seemed unlikely"" suggests a low probability, while "it was impossible" indicates that something cannot happen under any circumstances. They express different levels of certainty.

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

While both phrases express a lack of expectation, ""it seemed unlikely"" is slightly more general, whereas "it seemed improbable" emphasizes the low probability of an event.