lower the odds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lower the odds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of reducing the likelihood of a particular outcome or event occurring. Example: "To improve our chances of success, we need to implement strategies that will lower the odds of failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

In others, antiviral drugs can fight the infection and lower the odds of cancer.

The New York Times

Kiki obsessively imagines that she can somehow lower the odds of his being killed.

The New York Times - Books

In fact, the lower the odds are of influencing the vote, the higher the stakes.

The Economist

Life is short and dangerous enough why lower the odds of survival, why make existence even more precarious?

The New Yorker

The lower the odds of winning, the more the jackpots go unclaimed and roll over into a bigger grand prize.

The New York Times

Life is short and dangerous enough — why lower the odds of survival, why make existence even more precarious?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

For instance, it showed that small changes in planned sensor data greatly lowered the odds of selecting the right target.

The New York Times

The local climate is harsh and unpredictable, lowering the odds of survival beyond a single rainy season.

The New York Times - Science

Hospice care, on the other hand, lowered the odds of dying in a hospital.

The New York Times

And if a treatment shows promise, the center extends the trials to many centers, further lowering the odds of false positives and investigator bias.

The New York Times - Health

It is one thing to screen embryos; it is another to become pregnant, and adding H.L.A. screening to Fanconi anemia screening lowers the odds even more.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing risk management or strategic planning, using "lower the odds" can effectively communicate efforts to mitigate potential negative outcomes. For instance, "Implementing stricter safety protocols can lower the odds of accidents occurring."

Common error

Avoid assuming that actions will completely eliminate risk; "lower the odds" implies a reduction, not necessarily a guarantee of prevention. For example, stating that a vaccine will 'lower the odds' of infection is more accurate than saying it will 'eliminate' the risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower the odds" functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of reducing the probability or likelihood of a particular event or outcome. It is used to describe efforts to mitigate risks or improve the chances of a desired result. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lower the odds" is a commonly used phrase to describe efforts to reduce the probability of an event, typically an undesirable one. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in contexts related to news, science, and formal communication. When writing, it's important to remember that "lower the odds" implies a reduction in probability, not a guarantee of elimination. Alternatives such as "reduce the likelihood" or "minimize the risk" can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the likelihood

Changes the phrasing from 'odds' to 'likelihood', offering a more formal tone.

decrease the chances

Replaces 'odds' with 'chances', providing a more general and informal alternative.

minimize the risk

Focuses on 'risk' as opposed to 'odds', highlighting the potential negative consequences.

lessen the probability

Uses 'lessen' instead of 'lower' and 'probability' instead of 'odds', resulting in a more formal expression.

mitigate the possibility

Emphasizes 'mitigation' and 'possibility', suggesting a proactive effort to reduce potential outcomes.

diminish the prospect

Replaces 'lower' with 'diminish' and 'odds' with 'prospect', indicating a reduction in a future outlook.

curtail the potential

Focuses on 'curtailing' or limiting the potential for something to happen.

impair the likelihood

Uses 'impair' to suggest weakening the likelihood, offering a slightly different nuance.

weaken the probability

Employs 'weaken' to convey a reduction in probability, suggesting a weakening effect.

reduce the incidence

Specifically targets reducing the 'incidence' or occurrence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "lower the odds" in a sentence?

You can use "lower the odds" to describe actions taken to reduce the likelihood of a specific outcome. For example, "Wearing a seatbelt "lowers the odds" of serious injury in a car accident".

What are some alternatives to "lower the odds"?

Alternatives include "reduce the likelihood", "decrease the chances", or "minimize the risk", depending on the specific context.

Is it more accurate to say "lower the odds" or "eliminate the risk"?

"Lower the odds" is generally more accurate when discussing risk mitigation, as it acknowledges that complete elimination of risk is often impossible. "Eliminate the risk" implies a complete removal of any potential for a negative outcome.

What's the difference between "lower the odds" and "improve the chances"?

"Lower the odds" focuses on reducing the probability of a negative outcome, while "improve the chances" focuses on increasing the probability of a positive outcome. They are two sides of the same coin but emphasize different perspectives.