likelihood of being

USAGE SUMMARY

'likelihood of being' is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It expresses the possibility or probability of something happening. For example: "The likelihood of being able to find a date for the upcoming wedding is slim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The likelihood of being badly hurt has gone up too.

The Economist

In general, the likelihood of being audited is low.

The New York Times

The likelihood of being killed by a stranger was slight.

The New York Times

But why would gender affect the likelihood of being killed on the roads?

The Guardian

The article said there was no link between this measure and likelihood of being bullied.

The New York Times - Health

The likelihood of being murdered by a non-terrorist was 1 in 14,275.

The Guardian - Opinion

The researchers wanted to see whether the victim's group affiliation affected his likelihood of being helped.

Harvard Business Review

As one ages, the likelihood of being mugged increases while the likelihood of being arrested decreases.Frank Lowther Los Angeles* Letter appears online only.

The Economist

When the likelihood of being pivotal is small, NC motivations can dominate voting behavior.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

To find the prevalence of flu vaccination and factors affecting the likelihood of being vaccinated.

Atención Primaria

Reduced earnings and a lower likelihood of being, or staying, married compound the problem.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likelihood of being", ensure the subsequent verb and subject align logically. For example, "The likelihood of being selected is high" requires 'selected' to refer to a selection process.

Common error

Avoid redundant prepositions after "likelihood of being". Instead of saying "the likelihood of being of...", rephrase to eliminate the second 'of'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likelihood of being" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It specifies the probability or chance associated with a particular condition or state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likelihood of being" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express the probability or chance of a particular state or condition. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. While primarily found in News & Media and Scientific publications, its neutral to formal tone makes it versatile for professional and general use. Remember to consider alternative phrasings such as "chance of being" or "probability of being" for subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probability of being

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability", a more formal synonym.

chance of being

Substitutes "likelihood" with "chance", making the phrase slightly more informal.

possibility of being

Uses "possibility" instead of "likelihood", suggesting a lower degree of certainty.

prospect of being

Replaces "likelihood" with "prospect", implying a forward-looking consideration.

odds of being

Uses "odds" to convey probability, often used in statistical or gambling contexts.

potential for being

Focuses on the "potential" rather than the explicit likelihood.

risk of being

Highlights the negative aspect of the possibility, focusing on potential danger or harm.

probability of occurrence

Emphasizes the event occurring, rather than a state of being.

degree of probability

Phrases the concept as a "degree", offering a more nuanced perspective.

extent of possibility

Highlights the "extent" or scope of the possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "likelihood of being" in a sentence?

You can use "likelihood of being" to describe the probability of a certain state or condition. For example, "The likelihood of being audited by the IRS is low".

What are some alternatives to "likelihood of being"?

Alternatives include "chance of being", "probability of being", or "possibility of being", depending on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is "likelihood of being" formal or informal?

"Likelihood of being" is generally considered neutral to formal and is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from news reports to academic papers. More informal options include "odds of being".

What affects the "likelihood of being" something?

Many factors can affect the "likelihood of being" something, depending on the context. These factors can range from personal characteristics to external circumstances. For example, "Being a high school dropout dramatically increases your "likelihood of being" sent to prison".