looking unlikely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking unlikely that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or skepticism about a particular outcome or event occurring. Example: "With the current weather conditions, it is looking unlikely that the outdoor event will take place as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

As of this week it was looking unlikely that these ambitions would be fulfilled.

The Economist

However, it is looking unlikely that Nani will be going anywhere, having previously attracted interest from Inter Milan.

Independent

He is, as Flower admitted, absolutely bursting to play, but it is looking unlikely that he will.

The Guardian - Sport

Unfortunately, by the time the train resumed its course, it was looking unlikely that we would make it in time to catch the bus.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's already looking unlikely that he'll become only the eighth man in Open history to hang onto the Auld Claret Jug.

The Guardian - Sport

It is looking unlikely that network packet latency will dramatically improve in the foreseeable future, but network games could be dramatically improved if interfaces were put in place to allow isochronous circuit switched data for gaming.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Because her allies dominate the lower house, it looks unlikely that will happen when both chambers meet Tuesday to consider the matter.

The New York Times

Birdies on 17 and 18 had given Berger the clubhouse lead at six under after a 64 but it looked unlikely that would be enough to finish top of the leaderboard when he walked off the course.

The Guardian - Sport

It looks unlikely that there will be.

The Guardian

But it looks unlikely that rich countries will offer much help.

Independent

Now it looks unlikely that LightSquared will be in a position to switch itself on.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looking unlikely that", ensure the context clearly indicates what outcome is being deemed improbable. This phrase is best suited for expressing informed skepticism rather than absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "looking unlikely that" when the outcome is definitively impossible. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty, so reserve it for situations where there's still a slight chance of occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking unlikely that" functions as a modal expression used to convey a speaker's assessment of the probability of a future event or situation. It indicates a subjective judgment that something is improbable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking unlikely that" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English used to convey doubt or skepticism about a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides several real-world examples. While not extremely frequent, it appears commonly in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases such as "seems improbable that" or "appears doubtful that" can be used for variety. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is improbable and avoid overstating the improbability when an outcome is definitively impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems improbable that

Replaces "looking" with "seems" and "unlikely" with "improbable", offering a slightly more formal tone.

appears doubtful that

Substitutes "looking" with "appears" and "unlikely" with "doubtful", emphasizing uncertainty.

is improbable that

Simplifies the phrase by removing "looking" and using "is improbable", making it more concise.

is not expected to

Shifts the focus to expectations rather than likelihood, implying a low probability of occurrence.

chances are slim that

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate a low probability.

it's questionable whether

Expresses doubt about a particular outcome, focusing on the uncertainty.

it's a long shot that

Indicates that the possibility exists, but the odds are not in favor.

it's far from certain that

Highlights the lack of certainty regarding a future event.

it's doubtful whether

Emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of confidence in a particular outcome.

remote possibility that

Indicates a very low probability of something happening.

FAQs

What does "looking unlikely that" mean?

It means that something is improbable or doubtful to happen. It suggests that the chances of a particular outcome are low based on current circumstances.

How can I use "looking unlikely that" in a sentence?

You can use it to express doubt or skepticism about a future event. For example, "Given the lack of funding, it's "looking unlikely that" the project will be completed on time."

What can I say instead of "looking unlikely that"?

You can use alternatives like "seems improbable that", "appears doubtful that", or "is improbable that" to express a similar meaning.

Is "it looks unlikely that" different from "it looked unlikely that"?

Yes, "it looks unlikely that" refers to a present assessment of a future event, while "it looked unlikely that" refers to a past assessment of an event that may or may not have occurred.