most likely scenario

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most likely scenario" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to what you consider to be the most probable outcome or course of events. For example, "Given the current state of the economy, the most likely scenario is that unemployment will rise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Still, the most likely scenario for a torture prosecution is something like what happened to ex-Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that's the most likely scenario.

The New York Times

If I'm being realistic, that isn't the most likely scenario.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The most likely scenario is a renewed coalition with Anel.

The Guardian

"Default and devaluation is the most likely scenario".

The New York Times

That is probably the most likely scenario here.

The New York Times

That appears to be the most likely scenario.

The New York Times

This is the most likely scenario: another cycle of the Republican march to the right.

The New Yorker

We had never seen it happen, but in this case it seemed the most likely scenario.

The New Yorker

At the outset, retail watchers considered a break-up of the retailer the most likely scenario.

The Guardian - Business

The most likely scenario, police believe, is that she committed suicide by drowning.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "most likely scenario" to preface discussions about potential future outcomes, allowing for a balanced exploration of various possibilities while highlighting the most probable one.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "most likely scenario" as a guaranteed outcome. Even the most probable scenario can be affected by unforeseen circumstances. Instead, acknowledge potential alternative outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most likely scenario" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples where it identifies and describes a probable situation or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most likely scenario" is a versatile phrase used to describe the most probable outcome in a given situation. As Ludwig highlights, it is grammatically sound and widely used across varied contexts, including news, science, and business. While it’s important to use it to indicate likelihood rather than certainty, it serves as a valuable tool for communicating expectations based on available evidence. The phrase has a neutral register, making it suitable for formal and informal communications. Alternatives such as "most probable outcome" and "most plausible event" can be used to add variety to your writing, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most probable outcome

Replaces 'scenario' with 'outcome', focusing on the result.

the likeliest prospect

Swaps out scenario with prospect. Maintains a high degree of synonymity.

most plausible event

Substitutes 'likely' with 'plausible' and 'scenario' with 'event', emphasizing believability.

most expected development

Uses 'expected' instead of 'likely' and 'development' instead of 'scenario', shifting focus to unfolding events.

most anticipated course of events

Emphasizes anticipation and progression using 'anticipated' and 'course of events'.

most predictable result

Focuses on predictability by using 'predictable' instead of 'likely'.

most foreseeable circumstance

Replaces 'likely' with 'foreseeable' and 'scenario' with 'circumstance', highlighting anticipation of conditions.

most reasonable expectation

Uses 'reasonable' and 'expectation', indicating a justified anticipation.

most credible possibility

Focuses on believability using 'credible' and 'possibility'.

the odds are

Offers a more concise way to express the probability of a specific outcome, focusing on chance.

FAQs

How can I use "most likely scenario" in a sentence?

You can use "most likely scenario" to describe the outcome that is expected to happen given the current situation. For instance, "The "most likely scenario" is that interest rates will rise due to inflation".

What are some alternatives to "most likely scenario"?

Alternatives include "most probable outcome", "most plausible event", or "most expected development". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "most likely scenario" in formal writing?

Yes, "most likely scenario" is appropriate for formal writing, including business and academic contexts. It clearly and professionally conveys a probabilistic assessment.

How does "most likely scenario" differ from "best-case scenario"?

"Most likely scenario" refers to the outcome with the highest probability, while "best-case scenario" describes the most optimistic possible outcome, regardless of its probability.