least likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that has the smallest chance of occurring compared to others. Example: "In this scenario, the least likelihood of success is associated with the option that requires the most resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Investors have also been shying away from high yield, or junk, bonds because they represent loans to companies and municipalities that have the least likelihood of repaying them.

The New York Times

The heavily bureaucratic approach was also poorly designed, providing perverse incentives that encouraged agency examiners to review the companies with the least likelihood of having problems.

The New York Times

To such people, a career in science seemed to promise the least likelihood of ideological interference in their lives, a hope that had yet to be disappointed.

The New Yorker

A committee assessed them, looking for drugs with the best evidence of effectiveness and the least likelihood of dangerous side effects.

The New York Times - Health

He stuck to the back roads and looked for work farms, cotton fields, lumber camps, and chain gangs wherever there was "the least likelihood of the inclusion of jazz influences," as he put it.

The New Yorker

Because junk bonds are considered risky -- they are loans to companies and municipalities that have the least likelihood of repaying them -- the sector has been hit hard by the market decline and the shaky economy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

So I don't want to bring them back unless we have an agreed-to agenda and I believe there's at least a likelihood of success".

The New York Times

FB6 resamples particles only when there is at least one likelihood computed in FB4 to reflect observation on particle poses.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Nonetheless, as emplotted, these elements take on the guise of necessity or at least of likelihood because they are followable.

SEP

For now, at least, the likelihood of a truly high-end Echo speaker doesn't seem particularly high as the company focuses on low-cost hardware in an attempt to undercut the competition.

TechCrunch

In this work, all sequences with at least 70% likelihood of being hypermethylated (hybridization signal≥0.7) were considered hypermethylated for each specific sample, whereas sequences whose equivalent signal was below 30% (hybridization signal<0.3) were considered unhypermethylated.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple scenarios, use "least likelihood" to clearly identify the one with the lowest probability of occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "least likelihood" when simply describing a scenario with low probability. Reserve it for comparative situations where you're identifying the lowest among several options. For a single low-probability event, "low likelihood" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least likelihood" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes the scenario, option, or event that possesses the lowest probability of occurring, based on available examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least likelihood" is a grammatically correct phrase that signifies the lowest probability among several possibilities. As indicated by Ludwig, it finds frequent usage in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "lowest probability" or "minimal chance" exist, it's essential to reserve "least likelihood" for comparative situations. Ludwig AI highlights the phrase's acceptance in written English, emphasizing its proper usage to specify the scenario with the smallest chance of occurrence. Remembering this distinction and context helps ensure clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lowest probability

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability", emphasizing a mathematical perspective.

minimal chance

Uses more informal language than "least likelihood", suitable for general contexts.

smallest possibility

Highlights the limited potential for something to occur.

negligible prospect

Implies the chance is so small it's almost not worth considering.

slightest chance

Emphasizes the very small amount of possibility.

remote contingency

Suggests the event is unlikely and conditional on other events.

unlikely scenario

Focuses on the low probability of a particular set of events unfolding.

outside chance

Suggests a very small chance of something happening, often against the odds.

virtually impossible

Conveys an even stronger sense of improbability, bordering on impossibility.

dime prospect

Uses a more descriptive and possibly colloquial way to depict something unlikely

FAQs

How do I use "least likelihood" in a sentence?

Use "least likelihood" to describe the option or scenario with the lowest probability compared to others. For example: "Among the proposed solutions, the one with the "least likelihood" of success is also the most expensive."

What's a more informal way to say "least likelihood"?

For less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "minimal chance", "smallest possibility", or "slightest chance".

Is "least likelihood" the same as "low likelihood"?

No, "least likelihood" is used when comparing multiple possibilities to identify the one with the lowest chance, whereas "low likelihood" simply describes something with a low probability of occurring.

What are some phrases similar to "least likelihood" for scientific writing?

In scientific writing, you could use phrases like "lowest probability", "negligible prospect", or "remote contingency" to convey a similar meaning while maintaining a formal tone.