not likely though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not likely though" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express doubt or skepticism about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "I think he might show up to the party, but it's not likely though."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's not likely, though, that Ruth's diet played a role in home run history.

The New York Times - Sports

That's not likely, though, sinceevery newcomer responds to different stimuli.

Forbes

It's not likely, though, that the industry's involvement in that war will be evident.

Huffington Post

It's not likely, though.

The Guardian - Film

Not likely, though.

The New York Times

It's not likely though, judging by the blood that oozed down the screen as Negan was working over our mystery victim with his barbed-wire-laced baseball bat Lucille.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The honest truth is that I'm not likely to, though, as you don't recognise me now and you're not able to understand what is said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(This is not very likely, though).

WikiHow

That is not likely to happen, though, without some thoughtful preparation.

Johns Hopkins University

That change is not likely to matter though, because industry lobbyists will likely get it killed before it is enacted, Matloff speculates.

Science Magazine

Not likely to happen, though.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not likely though" to introduce a note of skepticism or doubt following a statement that suggests a possibility. It's effective for tempering expectations or presenting a balanced view.

Common error

Avoid using "not likely though" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "improbable" or "unlikely, however" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not likely though" serves as a qualifier or hedge, adding a degree of uncertainty or doubt to a preceding statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It's used to subtly express that something is improbable, despite initial suggestions otherwise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not likely though" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate skepticism or doubt. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in English. While not overly formal, it is versatile enough for use in various contexts, particularly within news and media. It is more suitable for neutral or slightly informal settings, as very formal contexts benefit from alternatives such as "unlikely, however" or "improbable though it may be". Its primary function is to temper expectations by suggesting that something is improbable despite any prior suggestion of possibility. While being grammatically correct and relatively frequent, it's worth being mindful of the specific context to maintain the right tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably not, though

Uses a more direct expression of probability with a concluding concession.

unlikely, however

Replaces "though" with "however" for a more formal tone.

it's doubtful, though

Inverts the structure, leading with the assessment of doubt.

hardly likely, though

Uses "hardly" to weaken the likelihood.

though it's improbable

Inverts the structure for a slightly different emphasis on the improbability.

though that's doubtful

Replaces "not likely" with "doubtful" for a stronger sense of uncertainty.

not very probable, though

Substitutes "likely" with "probable" and adds "very" for emphasis.

improbable though it may be

Emphasizes the low probability more explicitly while acknowledging a contrasting element.

while not probable

Uses "while" to introduce the improbability as a contrasting point.

though chances are slim

Expresses low likelihood using the idiom "chances are slim".

FAQs

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

You can use "not likely though" to express doubt or skepticism after stating a possibility. For example, "He said he might come, "not likely though"".

What are some alternatives to "not likely though"?

Alternatives include "probably not", "unlikely however", or "though it's improbable", depending on the context.

Is "not likely though" considered formal or informal?

"Not likely though" leans toward the informal side. In more formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "however unlikely" or "improbable though it may seem".

What's the difference between "not likely though" and "though not likely"?

"Not likely though" places the emphasis on the improbability, while "though not likely" provides a softer contrast. The first is more direct in expressing doubt, and the second concedes the possibility before negating it.