least likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

'least likely to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is less likely than other options to occur or be true. For example, "Of all the possible candidates for the job, Jennifer was the least likely to be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Least likely to: Sound sour like Marmite.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Be catty.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Commit murder.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Shag the nanny.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Shriek.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Confuse.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Stop!

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Surrender.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Bust.

The Guardian - Music

Least likely to: Bomb.

The Guardian - Music

Least Likely to Blow?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "least likely to" to politely express doubt or uncertainty about a future outcome. For example, "He is the "least likely to" succeed in that role given his lack of experience."

Common error

Avoid using "least likely to" when only comparing two options. In such cases, "less likely to" is more appropriate. "Least likely to" implies a comparison among three or more possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least likely to" functions as a superlative adjective phrase used to express the lowest probability of an event occurring or a characteristic being true among a group of possibilities. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase frequently appears in news and media when describing someone’s chance or odds.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least likely to" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the lowest probability of an event or characteristic among several options. Ludwig AI analysis, drawing from numerous examples in news and media, confirms its prevalent use. While versatile, it's best suited for situations comparing three or more possibilities, and alternatives like "remotest possibility" or "scarcely probable" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to use it to express doubt or make negative predictions in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly liable to

Substitutes "likely" with "liable" and uses "hardly" to indicate a low chance.

scarcely probable

Replaces "likely" with "probable" and uses "scarcely" to emphasize the low probability.

slim chance

Highlights the small probability of an event occurring.

remotest possibility

Focuses on the minimal chance of something happening, shifting from likelihood to possibility.

almost impossible

Indicates something is very difficult and therefore has a low likelihood of happening.

unlikely candidate

Emphasizes the unsuitability of something or someone for a particular role or situation.

at the bottom of the list

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate low priority or probability.

out of the question

Indicates that something is not a possibility at all, implying the lowest likelihood.

not a prayer

An idiomatic expression indicating no chance of success or occurrence.

not in the cards

An idiomatic way of saying something is not meant to happen or is not destined.

FAQs

How can I use "least likely to" in a sentence?

Use "least likely to" to indicate the option with the smallest probability of occurring among several possibilities. For example, "Among all candidates, she is the "least likely to" win the election."

What are some alternatives to "least likely to"?

You can use alternatives like "remotest possibility", "scarcely probable", or "hardly liable to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less likely to" instead of "least likely to"?

"Less likely to" is used for comparing two options, while "least likely to" is used for comparing three or more. If you're only comparing two things, use "less likely to". For more than two, use "least likely to".

What's the difference between "least likely to" and "most likely to"?

"Least likely to" indicates the option with the lowest probability, while "most likely to" indicates the option with the highest probability. They are opposites on a scale of likelihood.