not as likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the probability of two events or outcomes, indicating that one is less probable than the other. Example: "While it may rain tomorrow, it is not as likely as it was last week when the forecast predicted a storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

So in down times, he is not as likely as the bigger contractors to have a big drop in work.

The New York Times

Very likely, we thought but not as likely as that next year's May Day parade will be held in Yorkville.

The New Yorker

But, even though Mr. Bush brought the case to court, his supporters were not as likely as Mr. Gore's to think the court's involvement was a good thing.

The New York Times

The same poll also suggests that black people are not as likely as white people to say the ethics and honesty of police is very high or high.

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, possible, but not as likely as some other trends.

BBC

But again, that's not as likely as an expansive licensing agreement at this point.

TechCrunch

But my caution is making it so I'm not as likely to unknowingly hurt people.

Huffington Post

We consider a major bias of our results by the parent-reported exposure to second hand smoke not as likely.

BMC Health Services Research

He's not as likely to have the real emotional response, doesn't like hugs and kisses, you know?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This one is much smaller than the first one — more like Snoopy's house — and BP claims that it is not as likely to fail.

The New Yorker

They're not as likely to chicken out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing probabilities, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what the subject is less likely than. For instance, "It is not as likely to rain today as it was yesterday" provides a clear comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "not as likely" when a stronger statement of impossibility is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "He is not as likely to win the race after his injury", it might be better to state "He is unlikely to win the race after his injury" if the injury severely impacts his chances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as likely" functions as an adverbial phrase used for comparison. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate a lower probability or chance of something happening compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not as likely" is a versatile tool for expressing comparative probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using "not as likely", ensure you are clearly comparing two distinct possibilities. While alternatives like "less likely" and "unlikely" exist, "not as likely" provides a nuanced way to indicate a reduced chance relative to a specific alternative. Mastering this phrase will enhance your ability to communicate degrees of uncertainty with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less likely

A more direct and common synonym, indicating a reduced chance.

not as probable

A more formal version of "not as likely", using 'probable' instead of 'likely'.

less probable

Emphasizes a lower mathematical probability of something occurring.

not very probable

Adds emphasis to the improbability.

unlikely

A simpler term expressing that something is improbable.

lower chance

Directly addresses the chance or probability of an event.

less possible

Focuses on the possibility rather than the likelihood.

slim chance

Indicates a very small possibility.

not expected

Shifts the focus to anticipation and expectation rather than pure probability.

not inclined

Indicates a lack of inclination or willingness, implying a lower chance of action.

FAQs

How can I use "not as likely" in a sentence?

Use "not as likely" to compare the probability of two events, indicating one is less probable. Example: "While a storm may occur, it is "not as likely" as the forecast originally predicted".

What alternatives can I use instead of "not as likely"?

Alternatives include "less likely", "unlikely", or "less probable" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "not as likely" and "less likely"?

While similar, "less likely" is more direct. "Not as likely" often implies a comparison to a specific alternative, while "less likely" can stand alone. The phrase "not as likely" provides more nuance as it suggests a benchmark for comparison.

When is it better to use "unlikely" instead of "not as likely"?

"Unlikely" is suitable when you want to express a general improbability without specific comparison. Use "not as likely" when you want to highlight that one scenario is less probable than another particular scenario.