minimal likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that has a very low chance of occurring. Example: "Given the current data, there is a minimal likelihood of a significant increase in sales this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But the timing of tests is sporadic, and many probationers take their chances and use drugs, either because they can't control themselves or because the minimal likelihood of a test encourages risk.

The New Yorker

To justify the routine use of prophylactic physiotherapy after abdominal surgery, we need to be confident of efficacy and the minimal likelihood of harm.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

K-ras mutation on tumour samples has since been identified as predictive of minimal likelihood of benefit from the addition of cetuximab in various colorectal clinical settings.

British Journal of Cancer

The Nearest-Neighbor model [ 20] and blastn were applied to identify probe candidates for each input sequence with a minimal likelihood of cross-hybridization.

BMC Genomics

Also, the node distribution for both the compound graph and the reaction graph in both E. coli and APS had no significant match to the power law, as determined by the minimal likelihood method (Table 1).

BMC Systems Biology

Using the UPS option "Unique Probe within a group," a user can find unique probes for each sequence with minimal likelihood of matching non-target sequences in the uploaded sequence set.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The weights for each model are the best possible weights (minimal Log likelihood) for our sample of patients.

Critical Care

The risk to A.I.G. from the huge portfolio had seemed minimal, since the likelihood of default in any given transaction was low.

The New Yorker

Both measures depend on the coverage, on whether or not Beagle imputation is applied and on the minimal phred-scaled likelihood requirement.

BMC Genomics

When ψ n is 0.0, the uncertainty is minimal, and the likelihood is identical to the forward model, i.e., it reaches a maximum when the distance between the spheres r ij is below the crosslink length l XL.

Cell

AGES 10-12 -- Of minimal interest in all likelihood.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing statistical probabilities or outcomes, use "minimal likelihood" to convey a low chance, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing. For instance, "There is a "minimal likelihood" of project failure if we adhere to the outlined protocols."

Common error

Avoid using "minimal likelihood" when a situation is impossible or certain. "Minimal likelihood" indicates a small chance, not an absence of possibility. For complete certainty, use phrases like "no chance" or "impossible".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal likelihood" functions as a modifier to describe the degree of probability. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates a low probability. It is composed of an adjective ("minimal") and a noun ("likelihood"), working together to specify a very small chance of something occurring. This is supported by various examples in Ludwig where it describes the chance of benefits, harm, or success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimal likelihood" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes a very low probability of an event occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively uncommon, it finds its primary use in scientific and news contexts, lending precision to discussions of risk and possibility. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a small chance, not an impossibility, and consider context to adjust level of formality. Alternatives like "small likelihood" or "slight chance" may be more appropriate for informal settings. The phrase is supported by credible sources such as The New York Times and BMC Genomics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small likelihood

Replaces "minimal" with "small", indicating a low, but perhaps slightly more perceptible, chance.

scant likelihood

Uses "scant" to emphasize the insufficiency or inadequacy of the likelihood.

slight likelihood

Substitutes "minimal" with "slight", denoting a subtle or barely noticeable chance.

negligible likelihood

Replaces "minimal" with "negligible", stressing the insignificance of the possibility.

minimal chance

Uses the word "chance" in place of likelihood, keeping the meaning essentially unchanged.

slim likelihood

Employs "slim" to describe a very thin or reduced likelihood.

little likelihood

Replaces "minimal" with "little", indicating small degree of likelihood.

remote likelihood

Indicates that the likelihood is far off or distant, making it less probable.

unlikely prospect

Changes the structure and uses "prospect" instead of likelihood, indicating it's improbable.

low probability

Uses the more formal term "probability" to indicate a less common event.

FAQs

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

Use "minimal likelihood" to describe an event that has a very low probability of occurring. For example, "Given the safety measures, there is a "minimal likelihood" of accidents."

What phrases are similar to "minimal likelihood"?

Alternatives include "small likelihood", "slight chance", or "low probability". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "minimal likelihood" formal or informal?

"Minimal likelihood" is appropriate for formal and technical contexts, such as scientific reports or legal documents. In informal settings, phrases like "small chance" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "minimal likelihood" and "zero likelihood"?

"Minimal likelihood" means that there is still a small chance, however improbable, of something happening. "Zero likelihood" implies that something is completely impossible.