likelihood of

USAGE SUMMARY

"likelihood of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the probability or chance of something happening. For example: "The likelihood of winning the lottery is very small."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The likelihood of that happening?

The Guardian - Opinion

There's little likelihood of that.

Independent

The likelihood of reproach terrified her.

The New Yorker

The likelihood of common-sense leadership emerging?

The New York Times

The likelihood of a compromise remains unclear.

The New York Times

There is little likelihood of that happening.

The New York Times

Another remarked, "Likelihood of completion: Not clear".

The New Yorker

Why increase the likelihood of distraction?

The New Yorker

The likelihood of recent warmth.

Nature

The likelihood of promotion rises by 40 percent.

Independent

"But the likelihood of that is low".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likelihood of", ensure the noun or gerund following "of" clearly specifies what is likely to happen. For instance, "the likelihood of rain" is clearer than "the likelihood of it".

Common error

Avoid using "likelihood" where "likely" is more appropriate. "The event is likely to happen" is better than "The likelihood is to happen". Use "likelihood of" when followed by a noun phrase or gerund.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likelihood of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces the concept of the probability that something will occur. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from weather forecasts to political outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likelihood of" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the probability of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts. It is versatile, appearing frequently in news, business, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "probability of" and "chance of" exist, "likelihood of" maintains a neutral register suitable for varied audiences. When writing, ensure that "likelihood of" is followed by a clear noun or gerund phrase specifying the subject in question and make sure you don't use it when "likely" is a better fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probability of

Replaces "likelihood" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing a mathematical or statistical assessment.

chance of

Offers a more informal and general alternative, suitable for everyday conversation.

possibility of

Highlights that something could happen, without specifying how probable it is.

prospect of

Suggests a forward-looking view, considering the potential for something to occur in the future.

potential for

Focuses on the inherent capacity of something to happen or develop.

odds of

Implies a comparison of favorable outcomes to unfavorable ones.

risk of

Emphasizes the negative consequences that might occur.

threat of

Highlights a potential danger or undesirable outcome.

scope for

Indicates the extent to which something is possible or allowed.

feasibility of

Concerns the practicality and achievability of a certain outcome or plan.

FAQs

How to use "likelihood of" in a sentence?

Use "likelihood of" followed by a noun or gerund phrase to indicate the probability of something occurring. For instance, "There is a high likelihood of success" or "The likelihood of failing is minimal".

What can I say instead of "likelihood of"?

You can use alternatives like "probability of", "chance of", or "possibility of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "likelihood of" or "likely to"?

"Likelihood of" is followed by a noun phrase, while "likely to" is followed by a verb. For example, "the likelihood of rain" versus "it is likely to rain".

What's the difference between "likelihood of" and "probability of"?

While similar, "probability of" often implies a more precise or quantifiable assessment, whereas "likelihood of" can be more general. They are largely interchangeable in many contexts.