just as likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just as likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things and suggest that the chances of them happening or not happening are equal. For example: "The blue team is just as likely to win as the red team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then preposterous theories become just as likely as rational ones.

The New Yorker

Jews were just as likely as Muslims to say that American Muslims face prejudice.

The New York Times

Clean homes are just as likely as dirty homes to become infected.[1].

WikiHow

And just as likely to make you cry.

Stanford University

Just as likely, people are coming in for the taste.

The New York Times

Just as likely, the meeting was sensitive and required discretion.

The New Yorker

But then he was just as likely to retract again.

The Economist

Just as likely is that the resemblance is "purely accidental".

The Guardian

It is just as likely to seem dull, as seductive.

The New York Times

But jobs are just as likely to lose them.

The New York Times

It was just as likely to have hindered it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just as likely" to clearly convey that two outcomes have an equal chance of occurring, avoiding ambiguity in scenarios where probabilities are being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "just as likely" when you actually want to convey a higher or lower probability for one outcome over another. Ensure the context genuinely supports the assertion of equal likelihood to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just as likely" functions as an adverbial phrase of comparison, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that two or more possibilities have an equal probability of occurring. As supported by Ludwig, it is commonly used to present balanced alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

19%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just as likely" is a versatile phrase used to express that multiple outcomes or possibilities have an equal chance of occurring. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed in neutral contexts such as news reporting, academic discussions, and scientific analyses. When using "just as likely", ensure that the context genuinely supports equal probabilities to avoid misrepresenting the likelihood of different outcomes. Remember, the goal is to provide a balanced and unbiased comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as probable

Similar to the original phrase but replaces "likely" with "probable", offering a slight variation in vocabulary.

equally likely

This option is shorter and more direct, highlighting the equal likelihood without the "just as" construction.

as likely

This option shortens the phrase and it is more concise, while retaining the core meaning of equal likelihood.

equally probable

This phrase uses a more formal tone and directly states the equal probability of two events.

a similar chance

This phrase shifts the focus to the concept of having a 'chance', emphasizing the possibility of something occurring.

comparable odds

This alternative uses "odds" to indicate probability, which is suitable when discussing chances in a more statistical or gambling context.

nearly identical prospects

This longer phrase emphasizes that the 'prospects' or potential outcomes are very similar or the same.

on par with

While not directly related to probability, this phrase suggests that the likelihood or quality is equivalent to something else.

almost certain

This phrase indicates a very high degree of likelihood, approaching certainty, which contrasts with the original's sense of equal probability.

it could happen

A simple expression suggesting that an event is possible, though not necessarily probable or equally likely.

FAQs

How can I use "just as likely" in a sentence?

Use "just as likely" to indicate that two possibilities have an equal chance of occurring. For instance, "It's "just as likely" to rain tomorrow as it is to be sunny."

What phrases are similar to "just as likely"?

Alternatives to "just as likely" include "equally probable", "equally likely", or "a similar chance". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "just likely" instead of "just as likely"?

While "just likely" might be understood, it is not grammatically standard or as widely accepted as ""just as likely"". The inclusion of "as" strengthens the comparison and clarity.

What's the difference between "just as likely" and "more likely"?

"Just as likely" implies an equal probability between two or more outcomes. "More likely" indicates that one outcome has a higher probability than another. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the probabilities you are describing.