much less likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"much less likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two or more possibilities or outcomes, and the outcome you are referring to is less likely than the other options. For example, "Tying shoes with one hand is much less likely than tying with two hands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stories like Victor's are much less likely to be heard.

Vice

It makes disaster much less likely.

The Economist

That seems much less likely now.

The Guardian

This is much less likely to happen with terrorists.

The Guardian - Film

It is already much less likely than many people realise.

The Guardian

First, women are much less likely to reoffend than men.

The Guardian - Opinion

(And bad trips are much less likely to occur).

The New Yorker

This made an invasive cancer much less likely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Second, they're much less likely to be damaged.

The Guardian - Tech

That is much less likely in BME families, he says.

The Guardian

They were also much less likely to recommend teaching.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing probabilities, ensure that "much less likely" is followed by a 'than' clause or a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity. For example, "A recession is much less likely than a period of slow growth".

Common error

Avoid using "less" with countable nouns. While "much less likely" is correct, be careful not to say "less likely events" (incorrect). Use "fewer" instead: "fewer likely events" is grammatically accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much less likely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective to express a lower probability or reduced likelihood of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and acceptable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much less likely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase that expresses a lower probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely applicable. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear comparison point and avoid misusing "less" with countable nouns. Consider alternatives like "considerably less likely" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably less likely

Emphasizes a noticeably smaller chance.

significantly less likely

Highlights a statistically important difference in probability.

substantially less likely

Indicates a large decrease in the likelihood of something.

far less likely

Suggests a considerable difference in the chances.

distinctly less likely

Points out a clear and noticeable reduction in probability.

considerably improbable

Focuses on the low probability of an event.

highly improbable

Stresses a very low chance of occurrence.

barely possible

Indicates that something has a slim chance of happening.

unlikely to a great extent

Expresses improbability in a more formal way.

minimally possible

Highlights the minimal chance of something occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "much less likely" in a sentence?

You can use "much less likely" to compare the probability of two different events or outcomes. For example, "Traveling by plane is "much less likely" to result in an accident than traveling by car."

What are some alternatives to "much less likely"?

Some alternatives to "much less likely" include phrases like "considerably less likely", "significantly less likely", or "far less likely" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "less likely" instead of "much less likely"?

Yes, "less likely" is also correct. However, "much less likely" emphasizes a greater difference in probability. The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "less likely" and "not as likely"?

"Less likely" directly compares the probability of two things, indicating one has a lower chance of happening. "Not as likely" suggests something isn't as probable as implied or expected. They're often interchangeable, but "less likely" is more direct.