most probable

USAGE SUMMARY

"most probable" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is used to describe a likely outcome or situation based on available evidence. For example, "Based on the information we have so far, the most probable cause of the fire is faulty electrical wiring."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His most probable dates are 375 300 bc.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But that looks like the most probable outcome.

The Guardian - Opinion

They list scary and rare diagnoses alongside the most probable.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is the prime minister's most probable core bloc.

The Guardian

We'd go from the most probable to the least probable".

The New York Times - Science

Israel's border with Lebanon is the most probable flashpoint.

The Economist

Yet more QE now seems the most probable policy response.

The Economist

If, as is most probable, the flub is Mr. Bellow's, it is merely a little sad.

The New York Times - Books

But he said the plan represents the "most probable" level under current assumptions.

The New York Times

The most probable hypothesis is that it was turned off inadvertently".

The New York Times

Two old-timers, Hugh Duffy and Willie Keeler, are the most probable record holders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most probable", ensure you have a clear basis for your assessment of probability. State the evidence or reasoning behind your conclusion to enhance credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "most probable" outcome as a certainty. Acknowledge that other possibilities exist, even if they are less likely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most probable" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the highest likelihood of something occurring or being true. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most probable" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adjective phrase that serves to designate the outcome or scenario with the highest likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans diverse fields such as science, news reporting, and encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like "most likely" and "highly probable" exist, "most probable" maintains a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for professional and academic discourse. When employing this phrase, always ensure that your assessment is grounded in evidence and avoid presenting it as an absolute certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most likely

Indicates a high degree of probability, similar to "most probable".

very likely

Emphasizes the high chance of something happening, comparable to "most probable".

highly probable

Formally expresses a strong likelihood, akin to "most probable" but slightly more emphatic.

odds-on

Suggests the outcome is almost certain, similar to "most probable" in betting contexts.

in all likelihood

Implies a strong expectation based on available evidence, paralleling "most probable".

most plausible

Suggests the outcome is the most believable or reasonable, close to "most probable".

seemingly destined

Implies an inevitability, sharing a sense of high probability with "most probable".

almost certain

Indicates near certainty, aligning with the high likelihood expressed by "most probable".

predicted to be

Highlights the expectation of an event occurring, similar to "most probable".

expected to be

Shows what is generally anticipated, sharing a sense of high likelihood with "most probable".

FAQs

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

Use "most probable" to describe the outcome that is statistically or logically the likeliest based on available information. For example, "The "most probable cause" of the accident was driver error."

What are some alternatives to using "most probable"?

You can use alternatives like "most likely", "very likely", or "highly probable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "most probable" and "most possible"?

"Most possible" refers to all potential outcomes, while "most probable" refers to the single outcome deemed likeliest. All outcomes are possible, but only one can be the "most probable".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "most probable" in formal writing?

The phrase "most probable" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, academic, or professional contexts where assessing likelihood and uncertainty is crucial. For informal contexts you may find other alternatives such as most likely better fits the context.