just as probable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just as probable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the likelihood of two events or situations being equally likely to occur. Example: "The outcome of the experiment is just as probable as the initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Our perceptual justification would be defeated, for example, by evidence that a relevant non-perceiving hypothesis is true or just as probable as its negation.

SEP

These findings remind us that it is just as probable that students believe and do not understand as it is for students to understand and not believe in scientific theories (Bishop and Anderson 1990; Demastes-Southerland et al. 1995; Jakobi 2010).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

An experience's being a mere itch does not make it probable that it is a pain, for its being a mere itch rules out its being a pain; and an experience's being indeterminately either an itch or a pain does not make it probable that it is a pain, for it might just as probably be an itch.

SEP

The idea is that a drunk man holding on to a lamppost is just as likely to stumble backward as forward; the direction of each step is random and equally probable.

The New Yorker

But, it just as possible, perhaps even probable, that the neighbor is a Jew or a Muslim, a Buddhist or a Hindu, an agnostic or atheist.

Huffington Post

It is probable that just as bridge whist developed from three-hand whist, auction bridge developed from three-hand bridge whist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's also probable that just as few Americans knew who the hell he was as there are Brits who recognise any of the names on the list of candidates to take over the Ukip leadership.

The Guardian

Just as you could supply the probable details of a pixelated face because you are familiar with how faces look, the AI can extrapolate as well, having examined on a pixel by pixel basis what certain features look like at various levels of detail.

TechCrunch

But just as people copy music files, it seems probable that they will do the same with objects — a tool, say, or a piece of furniture that may be covered by a patent.

The New York Times

His client's probable cause report was just as vague as Rodriguez-Juarez's: ICE agents wrote they were "following a lead" when they "encountered" him.

Vice

Although the follow up was only two months; 83 ADR were identified by telephone interview (99% classified as probable or possible), compared to just a single spontaneous report.

Clinical Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the likelihood of two different events, use "just as probable" to clearly indicate that they have an equal chance of occurring. This phrase is most effective when both events are distinct and the comparison highlights an unexpected similarity in probability.

Common error

Avoid using "just as probable" when a simpler term like "equally likely" or "as likely" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose, especially when the context is already clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just as probable" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI states, it is usable in written English to compare the likelihood of two events or situations being equally likely to occur. Examples show its use in both philosophical and general contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just as probable" is used to denote that two events or situations have an equal chance of occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Though relatively rare in overall usage, it is found across various contexts, most commonly in science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and that a simpler term wouldn't be more effective. Alternatives include "equally likely" and "just as likely". The expert rating reflects the phrase's clarity and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally probable

Uses "equally" instead of "just as" to emphasize the equal chance of occurrence.

just as likely

Substitutes "likely" for "probable" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly less formal tone.

as probable as

Reorders the phrase to place emphasis on the level of probability itself.

similarly probable

Replaces "just as" with "similarly" to denote a parallel probability.

comparably probable

Uses "comparably" to highlight the equivalent probability through comparison.

of equal probability

Emphasizes the equality in terms of probability rather than using a direct comparison.

as likely as

Mirrors the structure of "just as probable" but uses "likely" instead.

with the same probability

Focuses on the shared attribute of probability rather than the comparison.

equally possible

Substitutes 'probable' with 'possible', indicating that outcomes have the same chance of occurring or being true.

bearing equal likelihood

A more formal substitution that conveys equal chances in a slightly more sophisticated way.

FAQs

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

Use "just as probable" to compare two events or outcomes, indicating they have an equal likelihood of occurring. For example, "Winning the lottery is "just as probable" as being struck by lightning, although it might not feel that way."

What can I say instead of "just as probable"?

You can use alternatives like "equally likely", "just as likely", or "as probable as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "just as probable" or "just as possibly"?

"Just as probable" is the correct phrase to indicate equal likelihood. "Just as possibly" is grammatically incorrect; use "just as possible" to indicate that something is equally feasible.

What's the difference between "just as probable" and "highly probable"?

"Just as probable" compares the likelihood of two different things, showing they have an equal chance. "Highly probable" indicates that a single event has a very good chance of happening but doesn't involve a direct comparison to something else.