less likely than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less likely than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used when comparing two things or two potential outcomes in order to express the idea that one is less likely to occur than the other. For example: "It is less likely than ever that I will be able to find a job in this tough market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Less likely than whom?

Independent

Less likely than unlikely?

The New York Times - Sports

After Friday's settlement that possibility looks less likely than ever.

The New York Times

That figure now looks less likely than ever.

The New York Times

It is already much less likely than many people realise.

The Guardian

"War between countries is much less likely than ever, and civil war is less likely than any time since 1960".

The New York Times

Brazil's other scorer — less likely than the others — was Dante.

The New York Times - Sports

But that seems less likely than the alternative.

The Economist

But they are much less likely than other city residents to be Democrats.

The New York Times

Raloxifene was less likely than tamoxifen to cause cataracts, a statistically solid difference.

The New York Times

We are less likely than other Europeans to have close friends or to know our neighbours.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less likely than", ensure you are comparing two distinct and well-defined possibilities to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "less likely than" without explicitly stating both items being compared; ensure the comparison is clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less likely than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to indicate that one event or condition has a lower probability of occurring compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is both correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig clearly show this comparative function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less likely than" is a comparative phrase used to express that one event or condition has a lower probability compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across a range of contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific writing. The phrase serves to inform readers about relative probabilities, and should be used with clear comparisons. When writing, ensure you explicitly state the two possibilities you are comparing to maintain clarity. Alternative phrases include "not as likely as" or "less probable than", providing flexibility in your writing style. The frequency and diverse application in authoritative sources make "less likely than" a versatile tool in expressing nuanced assessments of likelihood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less probable than

Focuses on probability rather than likelihood, a subtle difference in emphasis.

not as likely as

A more direct and simple way to express the comparison of likelihood.

lower chance than

Replaces 'likelihood' with 'chance', emphasizing the element of randomness or possibility.

less apt than

Uses 'apt' to suggest a natural tendency or suitability, which is slightly different from general likelihood.

less inclined than

Implies a decreased willingness or disposition, rather than a statistical probability.

smaller possibility than

Highlights the size or extent of the possibility.

lesser expectation than

Focuses on anticipated outcomes, introducing an element of anticipation or prediction.

less frequent than

Highlights frequency of occurrence rather than probability.

less common than

Shifts the focus to the prevalence or rarity of an event or situation.

less liable than

Indicates reduced susceptibility or vulnerability, differing from general likelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "less likely than" in a sentence?

Use "less likely than" to compare the probability of two different events or scenarios. For instance, "Traveling by train is "less likely than" traveling by car to cause traffic congestion."

What phrases are similar to "less likely than"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "not as likely as", "less probable than", or "lower chance than", which all convey a reduced probability compared to something else.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less likely than what"?

While grammatically understandable, it's better to specify what you are comparing to. Instead of saying "less likely than what", state explicitly what the alternative is to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This outcome is less likely than what?", clarify by saying "This outcome is "less likely than" that outcome."

What's the difference between "less likely than" and "unlikely"?

"Less likely than" is a comparative phrase used to compare two possibilities, while "unlikely" simply indicates that something has a low probability of occurring.