not seem probable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not seem probable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a particular event or situation occurring. Example: "Given the current evidence, it does not seem probable that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It does not seem probable, but it is by no means unthinkable.

The Guardian

Though she will be on hand when needed for media calls and important events, it does not seem probable she will embrace the spotlight.

The Guardian

Given the long-standing nature of discussions about bequest taxation in Switzerland, an equivalent shift does not seem probable to us (see Brülhart and Parchet 2014).

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics

And later Scotus notes that it "does not seem probable" that the common nature has some kind of entity and yet that the individuating feature does not.

SEP

He did not think that forests had an influence on climate at the global scale: "it does not seem probable that the forests sensibly affect the total quantity of precipitation, or the general mean of the atmospheric temperature of the globe" (Marsh 1864).

Forest Ecosystems

But creating a semblance of reality involves the imagination: As Jane cautioned a niece who had also taken up writing, an incident drawn from real life, no matter how true, no matter how faithfully transcribed, will often not seem "probable" or "natural" in fiction.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

When Hutch gets a grip on things it doesn't seem probable that he's going to lose it.

The Washington Post

Unless courts intervene, which doesn't seem probable at this point, the Eighteenth Congressional District is about to be scrambled in Pennsylvania's redistricting and will no longer exist, as it is now, by the time of the midterms in November.

The New Yorker

A rapid surge in prices doesn't seem probable.

Forbes

Such big-time success didn't seem probable back in 1977.

Forbes

While it's possible now, it sure didn't seem probable in the first weeks of the show.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "not seem probable" when you want to express a degree of skepticism or uncertainty about a particular outcome, without completely dismissing the possibility. It's suitable when the evidence does not strongly support a certain event.

Common error

Avoid using "not seem probable" when the outcome is definitively impossible or highly predictable. Using stronger language (e.g., "impossible", "certainly not") will create a clearer and more accurate statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not seem probable" functions as a hedging device. It is used to express a lack of certainty or a degree of doubt regarding the likelihood of a particular event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not seem probable" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is useful when you want to express that something is unlikely without completely ruling it out. While not extremely common, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. Alternatives like "appears unlikely" or "is improbable" offer similar meanings, but "not seem probable" retains a unique nuance of cautious assessment. When employing this phrase, ensure that the situation genuinely warrants a degree of uncertainty and isn't definitively impossible, to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears unlikely

Changes the verb from "seem" to "appear" while maintaining the core meaning of improbability.

doesn't look likely

Uses a more informal expression with "look" instead of "seem" to convey a lack of probability.

is hardly probable

Emphasizes the improbability with the adverb "hardly", suggesting a low chance.

is improbable

Directly states the improbability, removing the hedging verb "seem".

is questionable

Suggests doubt or uncertainty about the likelihood of something.

is doubtful

Expresses uncertainty, indicating a lack of confidence in the possibility.

raises doubts

Focuses on the action of causing uncertainty rather than stating improbability directly.

is uncertain

Indicates a lack of certainty, implying that the outcome is not predictable.

is far-fetched

Suggests that something is unrealistic or difficult to believe.

is a long shot

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a low probability of success.

FAQs

How can I use "not seem probable" in a sentence?

You can use "not seem probable" to express doubt or uncertainty about a future event or a current situation. For example, "Given the lack of funding, it does "not seem probable" that the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to "not seem probable"?

Alternatives include "appears unlikely", "doesn't look likely", or simply "is improbable", depending on the level of formality and desired emphasis.

Is "not seem probable" formal or informal?

"Not seem probable" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. More informal alternatives exist, such as "doesn't look likely".

What's the difference between "not seem probable" and "seems impossible"?

"Not seem probable" implies a lower likelihood but does not rule out the possibility entirely. "Seems impossible" suggests that the event is highly unlikely to occur under any circumstances. The latter is a much stronger statement.