less probable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less probable" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means something is less likely to happen or be true compared to something else. You can use it in any sentence to describe a possibility or likelihood. For example: 1. "It is less probable for it to rain today than it was yesterday." 2. "The doctor said it is less probable for the patient to recover from their illness." 3. "The new evidence makes it less probable for the suspect to be innocent." 4. "I find it less probable that we will win the game without our star player."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An Israeli strike seems even less probable now.

The Economist

It's mostly the consumer space where this becomes less probable".

The New York Times

The further out into the tail you go -- the less probable the event -- the greater the uncertainty.

The New York Times

And he is unconvinced that ringfencing high street from casino banking will make a rerun of 2008 any less probable.

The Guardian - Business

Now ask whether that scene is at all less probable than the ones we are confronted with now.

The New Yorker

These risk assessments cover both likely futures that matter day-to-day, and less probable but highly salient ones.

The Economist

For Duk-koo, gaining her favor seemed slightly less probable than winning the championship of the world.

The New York Times - Sports

And though the sheer scale of US deployment appears to be making immediate military confrontation less probable, the long-term prospects look increasingly murky: G.I.s.

The New Yorker

Global Radio, which had a memorable falling out with UTV, is less probable as its size means it is likely to run into regulatory issues.

The Guardian

Two have been likely for some time, while the other two, though less probable, have become more plausible in the past fortnight.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the fact that Mr. Friedman is not an academic economist makes it less probable that Mr. Mankiw will be overshadowed by him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less probable" when you want to indicate that something is not impossible, but has a lower chance of occurring compared to another possibility. Be sure to provide a clear reference point for the comparison to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "less probable" when you actually mean "impossible". "Less probable" implies a chance, however small, still exists. For situations where there's absolutely no possibility, use stronger terms like "impossible" or "unachievable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less probable" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a lower degree of likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less probable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it serves to express a reduced likelihood of an event or outcome compared to another. It is commonly found in science and news media, suggesting a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. When using "less probable", ensure you're comparing distinct possibilities rather than implying impossibility. Remember alternatives such as "less likely" or "unlikely" can also serve the purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less likely

This alternative uses a more common and direct synonym to convey reduced likelihood.

less possible

This alternative focuses on the reduced potential for something to occur.

unlikely

A single-word adjective that directly expresses the low probability of something.

not very probable

This option phrases the concept in a slightly more verbose and emphatic way, highlighting the lack of probability.

improbable

This alternative presents a stronger sense of disbelief or doubt concerning the possibility.

hardly probable

This option adds an adverb to emphasize the minimal probability.

diminished likelihood

This option uses a noun phrase to describe a reduced chance or prospect.

reduced possibility

This alternative emphasizes a lowered potential for something to happen.

slim chance

An idiomatic expression indicating a small and barely existent chance.

remote possibility

This alternative suggests that the possibility is distant and unlikely to materialize.

FAQs

How can I use "less probable" in a sentence?

You can use "less probable" to compare the likelihood of two or more events. For example: "It is "less probable" that I will win the lottery than it is that I will go to work tomorrow."

What are some alternatives to saying "less probable"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "less likely", "unlikely", or "improbable". The best choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less probable"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Less" is used as a comparative adjective modifying "probable", indicating a lower degree of probability.

What is the difference between "less probable" and "least probable"?

"Less probable" compares two possibilities, while "least probable" identifies the single most unlikely option out of several. For example, "Winning the lottery is "less probable" than getting a promotion, but dying from a meteor strike is the "least probable" of all three."