most improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is highly unlikely to happen or occur. Example: "Given the circumstances, it seems most improbable that they will arrive on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Interest

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's the most improbable".

The New Yorker

And perhaps one of the most improbable.

The New York Times - Sports

Here, the story takes its most improbable turn.

The New York Times

Factions gather around the most improbable leadership contenders.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was, perhaps, the most improbable no-hitter in years.

The New York Times

We have a new contender for most improbable Apple rumour.

The Guardian - Tech

It is most improbable, but the Mets are inspired.

The New York Times - Sports

The Colts nearly fashioned one of their most improbable victories.

The New York Times - Sports

The most improbable disguise was Gordon the Saintly Forgiver.

The Guardian

Anything was possible in those most improbable of contests.

The Guardian - Sport

Vang Vieng is the planet's most improbable party town.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most improbable" to emphasize the extreme unlikelihood of an event, situation or outcome. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a surprising or unexpected twist.

Common error

Avoid using "most improbable" in everyday conversation where simpler alternatives like "unlikely" or "doubtful" would suffice. Overuse can sound pretentious or unnatural in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most improbable" functions as a superlative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that it is the least likely or most surprising among a group of possibilities. Ludwig examples show its usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most improbable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the highest degree of unlikelihood or unexpectedness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent in news and media, highlighting surprising or astonishing events. While versatile, it's best suited for formal contexts and should be used judiciously in casual settings. Alternatives like "highly unlikely" or "very doubtful" can be more appropriate depending on the setting. The phrase serves to emphasize the remarkable or unbelievable nature of a situation, making it a powerful tool in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly unlikely

Focuses on the low probability of something happening.

very doubtful

Emphasizes the lack of certainty or believability.

extremely questionable

Highlights the dubious nature and potential invalidity of something.

virtually impossible

Stresses the near impossibility of an event or situation.

remarkably unexpected

Shifts focus to the surprise element rather than just unlikelihood.

quite unprecedented

Indicates a lack of prior instances, emphasizing novelty.

patently absurd

Implies a high degree of ridiculousness and unreasonableness.

thoroughly unrealistic

Focuses on the impracticality and lack of grounding in reality.

decidedly inconceivable

Highlights the difficulty in imagining or believing something.

utterly unimaginable

Stresses the complete lack of anticipation or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "most improbable" in a sentence?

You can use "most improbable" to describe something that is highly unlikely. For example: "It is the "most improbable" outcome, but not impossible."

What's a good alternative to "most improbable"?

Alternatives to "most improbable" include "highly unlikely", "very doubtful", or "extremely questionable" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "most improbable"?

While grammatically correct, using "most improbable" in very casual settings might sound overly formal. Consider your audience and choose a more common alternative if appropriate.

What's the difference between "most improbable" and "most unlikely"?

"Most improbable" often implies a greater degree of surprise or unexpectedness than "most unlikely". While both suggest a low probability, "most improbable" can highlight a more remarkable or astonishing situation.