low likelihood of

USAGE SUMMARY

"low likelihood of" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where it is unlikely something will happen. For example, "Given the current circumstances, there is a low likelihood of a boom in the housing market anytime soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Music

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

The New York Times

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

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

The New York Times

Those locations tend to heal well and have a relatively low likelihood of recurrence or completion (worsening).

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If the policies were locked today, there would be a low likelihood of meeting the target," said Jeffery Greenblatt, scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and lead author of the study, published in Nature.

The Guardian

But the report was based, in part, on a predicted "low" likelihood of fast action on the F.D.A. regulation, on the assumption that Congress would be busy with other priorities.

The New York Times

Other Enron creditors will probably want to extract as much of the banks' money as possible, especially given the low likelihood of recovering all they are owed from Enron itself, said Jeffrey N. Gordon, a law professor at Columbia University.

The New York Times

The German finance ministry website on Wednesday issued an FAQs list on Greece blaming the Tsipras government for the breakdown while reassuring Germans about the low likelihood of spillover effects.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks or outcomes, use "low likelihood of" to clearly communicate that something is not expected to happen, but acknowledge that it is still possible. This helps to manage expectations appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "low likelihood of" when the outcome is virtually impossible. If an event is impossible, phrases like "no chance of" or "certainly not" are more appropriate. "Low likelihood of" implies a small, but non-zero, possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low likelihood of" functions as a qualifier, specifically indicating a reduced probability or chance of something occurring. It is often used to temper expectations or assess risk, as evidenced by Ludwig showing its usage in contexts ranging from scientific studies to news reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "low likelihood of" is a versatile phrase used to express that an event or outcome is improbable but still possible. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It's frequently encountered in both scientific and news contexts, signaling its applicability in various settings. When writing, it's best to use this phrase to temper expectations appropriately, but avoid using it when an event is completely impossible. Alternatives such as "slim chance of" or "remote possibility of" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim chance of

Replaces "likelihood" with "chance" and uses "slim" to convey a similar degree of improbability.

remote possibility of

Substitutes "likelihood" with "possibility" and "low" with "remote", indicating a small chance.

slight prospect of

Uses "prospect" instead of "likelihood", with "slight" indicating a small chance.

meager probability of

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability" and "low" with "meager", implying a small probability.

minimal expectation of

Substitutes "likelihood" with "expectation" and "low" with "minimal", suggesting a reduced anticipation.

reduced chance of

Uses "chance" instead of "likelihood" and "reduced" for "low", indicating a lessened probability.

limited hope of

Replaces "likelihood" with "hope" and "low" with "limited", expressing a restricted expectation.

small probability of

Simply replaces "likelihood" with "probability" and retains "small" indicating a diminutive chance.

unlikely event of

Changes the construction to focus on the event being unlikely rather than its likelihood.

poor prospect of

Uses "prospect" in place of "likelihood", with "poor" suggesting an unpromising outlook.

FAQs

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

You can use "low likelihood of" to describe situations where something is improbable. For example, "There is a "low likelihood of" rain today", or "The project has a "low likelihood of" success if funding is not secured."

What phrases are similar to "low likelihood of"?

Alternatives include "slim chance of", "remote possibility of", or "slight prospect of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "small likelihood of" instead of "low likelihood of"?

Yes, "small likelihood of" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "low likelihood of". The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "low likelihood of" and "unlikely to"?

"Low likelihood of" refers to the probability of an event, while "unlikely to" describes the event itself. For example, "There's a low likelihood of delays" focuses on the probability, while "The project is unlikely to be delayed" focuses on the project's status.