least probable

USAGE SUMMARY

"least probable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something as the least likely outcome or result. For example, "The least probable outcome of this experiment is that it will fail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

This value is calculated by taking the probability of the least probable valid alignment corrupted with two extra base mismatches.

Bioinformatics

Therefore it is the antecedently least probable conclusions whose unexpected verification raises H's probability the most.

Princeton University

The LEast PRobable first policy drops the bundle with the lowest delivery probability.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Likewise, to determine to what extent connections between cells are part of the divergent part of the trajectories, we calculate the probability that the most probable trajectory crosses a cell connection and the least probable trajectory fails to do so.

Plosone

We'd go from the most probable to the least probable".

The New York Times - Science

The least probable is for the detested Mr. Davis to beat the recall.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Stella Fawn Ragsdale's "Love Letters to a Dictator" takes the prize for least-probable premise: a young Appalachian artist (Colby Minifie) conducts an epistolary relationship with Kim Jong Il in the months before his death, resulting in emotional discoveries on both sides.

The New Yorker

We followed Pyron et al.'s lead in using the least-probable training point likelihood ("minimum training presence") to set the threshold for discriminating suitable from non-suitable habitat.

Plosone

Long before the snow, Miami defenders dropped at least four probable interceptions: Zach Thomas, Jamar Fletcher, Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison dropped one each.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1957, at the age of 47, following at least one probable abortion and years of visions of saints and demons, she converted to Roman Catholicism.

The New York Times - Books

The panel says it is at least 95% probable that human activities, led by burning of fossil fuels, are the main cause of warming.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "least probable", ensure the context clearly establishes the range of possibilities being considered. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "least probable" when only two outcomes are possible. In such cases, "less probable" or "less likely" is more appropriate, as "least" implies a comparison among three or more options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least probable" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the lowest degree of probability among a set of possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

38%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "least probable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that signifies the lowest likelihood among several possibilities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage is especially common in scientific, news, and academic contexts, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context establishes a clear range of possibilities. Alternatives like "least likely" or "most improbable" can be used to achieve similar effects while maintaining precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most improbable

Reverses the probability scale, focusing on what's considered nearly impossible.

least likely

Directly expresses the lowest chance of occurrence.

remotest possibility

Emphasizes the distant or slight chance of something happening.

slightest chance

Highlights the minimal likelihood of an event.

smallest likelihood

Focuses on the reduced probability of a specific outcome.

minimal prospect

Suggests a very low level of anticipation or expectation.

lowest odds

Uses betting terminology to indicate the least favorable outcome.

scarcely possible

Indicates that something is only with difficulty or barely achievable.

hardly a chance

Emphasizes the lack of opportunity or possibility.

outside chance

Describes a chance that is very small or unlikely.

FAQs

How to use "least probable" in a sentence?

Use "least probable" to describe the outcome with the lowest chance of occurring among several possibilities. For example, "The "least probable" cause of the malfunction was a software glitch, given the recent hardware upgrades."

What can I say instead of "least probable"?

You can use alternatives like "least likely", "most improbable", or "remotest possibility" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "least probable" or "less probable"?

"Least probable" is used when comparing three or more possibilities, while "less probable" is used when comparing only two. If you are only considering two outcomes, "less probable" is the correct choice.

What's the difference between "least probable" and "most improbable"?

"Least probable" simply indicates the outcome with the lowest probability. "Most improbable", on the other hand, often carries a stronger connotation of being highly unlikely or almost impossible.