low likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "low likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or outcome that has a low probability of occurring. For example: "Given the current economic conditions, a recession is a low likelihood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is a very low likelihood case," Atlantis's commander, Capt.

The New York Times - Science

The closing track, History Lesson, satirically surveys the low likelihood of accountability for various crimes against humanity.

The Guardian - Music

"There is a very low likelihood that I'm going to see Arctic production in my professional lifetime," she said.

The Guardian

"There will be a very low likelihood that we will see a quick repetition of the material".

The New York Times

Because of the low likelihood of success, the $20 million settlement should not be surprising.

The New York Times

"There is a low likelihood the ELT would survive, and radio doesn't work as well as acoustic signals underwater," he said.

The Guardian

It says: "Data that is maintained in silos is largely useless outside that silo and consequently has a low likelihood of causing any damage".

The Guardian

Siddhi expressed preference for Princess Sirindhorn Anandd suggested only the King would be in a position to change succession, and acknowledged a low likelihood of that happening.

The Guardian

She was 46, and her lesion, called ductal carcinoma in situ, or D.C.I.S., was deemed low grade, with a low likelihood of recurring.

The New York Times - Health

But it's comforting to know that there is a low likelihood that your patients will drop dead on the spot.

The New York Times

I had five days before Sandy arrived, and a very low likelihood of finding a sweep before then.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing risk management, use "low likelihood" to differentiate between potential threats that are improbable but could still have high impact, warranting mitigation strategies.

Common error

Don't assume that a "low likelihood" event is unimportant. Even if something is unlikely to happen, its potential impact could be severe, necessitating careful planning and preparation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low likelihood" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase describing the noun "likelihood". It indicates a reduced probability or chance of something occurring, which is consistent with Ludwig AI and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "low likelihood" is a commonly used phrase to describe events that have a small chance of occurring. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal writing. While often interchangeable with terms like "unlikely" or "slim chance", "low likelihood" carries a more formal tone. It's important to differentiate between "low likelihood" and "low risk", as even improbable events can have significant consequences. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "low likelihood" to communicate the probability of events in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low probability

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability", a direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

slim chance

Uses a more informal expression to indicate a small possibility.

slight possibility

Replaces "likelihood" with "possibility" and "low" with "slight", indicating a small chance.

remote chance

Indicates that the chance of something happening is distant or unlikely.

unlikely prospect

Focuses on the future outlook being improbable.

minimal risk

Highlights the reduced danger or hazard associated with an event.

rare occurrence

Emphasizes the infrequency of an event.

negligible possibility

Indicates the possibility is so small it can be ignored.

scant hope

Expresses that there is very little reason to be optimistic.

poor prospect

Suggests an unfavorable outlook or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "low likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "low likelihood" to describe events that are improbable. For example, "There is a "slim chance" of rain today" or "The "negligible possibility" of a market crash doesn't mean we shouldn't be prepared".

What is a synonym for "low likelihood"?

Synonyms for "low likelihood" include "low probability", "unlikely prospect", and "remote chance". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "low likelihood" or "unlikely"?

"Low likelihood" is a more formal and precise way of saying "unlikely". "Unlikely" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, but "low likelihood" might be preferred in technical or scientific writing.

What's the difference between "low likelihood" and "low risk"?

"Low likelihood" refers specifically to the probability of an event occurring, while "low risk" considers both the probability and the potential impact. An event with a "low likelihood" might still pose a high risk if its consequences are severe.