of how improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of how improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood or unlikelihood of an event or situation, often in a reflective or analytical context. Example: "The study revealed the extent of how improbable it was for such a rare event to occur in nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When they won, they thought nothing of how improbable it was.

The New York Times - Sports

Escaping into the abstract world of mathematics, Enrique loves to calculate probabilities (seeking the shelter of a world in which "everything could be reliably predicted"), but as he grows up his talent will bring only an awareness of how improbable his dreams really are.

The New York Times - Books

Still, even as an increasing number of filmmakers are being plucked from the indie world and television to helm big-budget tentpole films, Trevorrow is well aware of how improbable the whole thing seems.

Los Angeles Times

To give you an idea of how improbable this was, the modern-day equivalent would be something like Iggy Azalea making a diss song about a small Facebook group.

Vice

Analyses generating unsupervised networks allows an objective assessment of how improbable their size is, free of prejudice on what the relevant pathways are, or indeed if they have been identified.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And when you're already dead, anything which creates the possibility of resurrection, no matter how improbable, is automatically a good idea.

The Guardian

Now, some people would describe those phases as "gloriously open-minded, taking inspiration from all manner of sources, no matter how improbable".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When you're trapped in an impossible situation, you will look for any sign of salvation, no matter how improbable.

Vice

The jobs report is just one of several recent indicators of continued weakness that underscore how improbable it is that the economic picture will be much better — if it gets better at all — before voters make up their minds next year.

The New York Times

Requiem opens with a pastiche of the Beach Boys' Our Prayer – it's perhaps worth pausing for a moment and considering how improbable the idea of Gary Barlow recording a piece of music influenced by Brian Wilson circa Smile would once have seemed – then swiftly turns into a homage to Paul McCartney.

The Guardian - Music

One can observe the co-occurrence of these entities in abstracts and calculate how improbable it is to observe a certain level of co-occurrences by chance.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of how improbable", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being considered improbable. Providing specific details or examples enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "of how improbable" without clearly defining the event or situation being described as improbable. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement. Always provide specific context to clarify what is being assessed as improbable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of how improbable" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It serves to modify a preceding noun or clause by describing the extent to which something is not likely to occur or be true. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of how improbable" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, functioning as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. Ludwig's analysis of the examples reveals that it effectively conveys skepticism or surprise about the unlikelihood of an event, particularly in news and scientific contexts. While considered rare, the phrase is best used when precision is needed, and context is clearly defined to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives such as "of how unlikely" and similar options may be considered for stylistic variation. Overall, understanding the nuances of "of how improbable" allows for more effective communication, especially in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how very improbable

Adds emphasis to the improbability. It's a more emphatic version of the original phrase.

the extent of its improbability

Focuses on measuring the degree of improbability. Shifts the focus slightly to the degree itself.

the level of its unlikelihood

Replaces "improbable" with "unlikelihood", maintaining a similar meaning. It uses a slightly more common word.

the odds against it

Emphasizes the unfavorable chances. It uses a more concise and direct expression.

how remotely possible

Replaces "improbable" with a phrase focusing on the remoteness of possibility. It emphasizes the distance from being possible.

the rarity of the chance

Highlights the infrequency of the opportunity. It shifts the focus to the infrequency of the chance occurring.

to what degree it is unlikely

Rephrases the concept using "unlikely" and emphasizes the degree. It is a more verbose way of expressing the same idea.

how against the odds it was

Highlights the fact that the event happened despite unfavorable odds. This alternative emphasizes the surmounting of obstacles.

the unexpected nature of it

Shifts the focus to the unexpected aspect of the situation. It removes the explicit reference to probability.

how surprisingly rare it is

Combines surprise and rarity to express improbability. Emphasizes the surprising element of its infrequent occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "of how improbable" in a sentence?

You can use "of how improbable" to describe the unlikelihood of an event. For example, "The jobs report is just one of several recent indicators of continued weakness that underscore "of how improbable" it is that the economic picture will be much better."

What are some alternatives to saying "of how improbable"?

Alternatives include "of how unlikely", "of how remote", or "of how impossible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "of how improbable it is" or "how improbable it is"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "how improbable it is" is more concise and commonly used. Adding "of" is not necessary but does not make the sentence incorrect.

When should I use "of how improbable" over "how improbable"?

While both are correct, "of how improbable" is more formal and emphasizes the degree of improbability. Use it in contexts where you want to add a slight emphasis or formality. "How improbable" is generally more common and suitable for everyday use.