most unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most unlikely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is highly improbable. For example: It is most unlikely that I will win the lottery this week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most unlikely.

Independent

It is most unlikely.

The Economist

That is most unlikely".

The New York Times

That would be most unlikely.

The Economist

This is most unlikely.

The New York Times

Alas, that seems most unlikely for Carnegie.

The Economist

Irvina Booker makes a most unlikely criminal.

The New York Times

But it ranks among the most unlikely.

The New York Times

Vogey!", saluting a most unlikely October sensation.

The New York Times - Sports

The most unlikely people now buckle up".

The New Yorker

I think it's most unlikely".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most unlikely" to emphasize a strong degree of improbability, particularly when contrasting it with a prevailing expectation or assumption.

Common error

Avoid using "most unlikely" when you simply mean "slightly improbable" or "uncertain". Reserve this phrase for situations where the outcome is genuinely and substantially improbable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most unlikely" functions as a superlative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to indicate the highest degree of improbability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most unlikely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used superlative adjective phrase. It serves to express a strong degree of improbability or disbelief, finding common application across various contexts, particularly in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use in formal writing while also being common in general discourse. It's essential to reserve "most unlikely" for situations genuinely improbable and avoid its overuse for mild uncertainties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly improbable

Focuses on the low probability of something happening.

very improbable

Emphasizes a strong lack of probability.

quite improbable

Indicates a notable degree of improbability.

extremely doubtful

Highlights the significant doubt surrounding an event.

hardly possible

Stresses the difficulty or near impossibility of something.

scarcely imaginable

Implies that something is difficult to conceive.

not a chance

Informal way to express that something is impossible.

against all odds

Highlights that something is achieved despite significant obstacles.

unforeseen

Suggests that something was not anticipated or predicted.

unexpected

Emphasizes that something was surprising and not anticipated.

FAQs

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

Use "most unlikely" to express a high degree of improbability. For example, "It is "most unlikely" that the team will win, given their current losing streak."

What are some alternatives to saying "most unlikely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "highly improbable", "very improbable", or "extremely doubtful" instead of "most unlikely".

Is it grammatically correct to use "most unlikely"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Unlikely" is an adjective, and "most" is used to form the superlative degree, indicating the highest level of improbability.

What is the difference between "unlikely" and "most unlikely"?

"Unlikely" suggests that something is improbable, while "most unlikely" indicates that it is exceptionally improbable or almost impossible.