particularly unlikely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "particularly unlikely that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong doubt or skepticism about a specific situation or outcome. Example: "Given the current evidence, it is particularly unlikely that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It seems particularly unlikely that an essentially adjacent duplication of rps14 within the mitochondrial genome would have occurred in such a manner as to create a perfect duplication of the normal-length rps14 coding sequence without any trace of rpl5, which in virtually all angiosperms is separated by only 1 NT from the 5' end of rps14 (see below).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

33 It is particularly unlikely that heightened activation in the visual association cortex was caused by differences in low-level features of the images as neither luminance nor colour values for HWL stimuli were significantly different across the three HWL subtypes.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It would be possible to use a method similar to the evolutionary trace to calculate a background variability of each site, and then use a method similar to ours to search for clusters of mutations that are particularly unlikely to arise under this background level of variation.

Plosone

Diploid hybridogenous accessions (or species) that are particularly unlikely to have formed recently are H. gouani, H. gymnocephalum 1215, H. lucidum, H. plumulosum, H. pojoritense, H. prenanthoides 1252, and H. sparsum.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In the first study, we found that those individuals high in interdependent self-construal were particularly unlikely to contribute to the website.

Personality and Individual Differences

In the faster frequencies particularly it is unlikely that phase is highly stable over time.

BioMed Research International

We don't gamble with the lives of families hoping to win something potentially better, particularly when that hope is unlikely in the immediate future due to political posturing and entrenchment.

Huffington Post

From Graeme Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors There is always a danger in spending money before you've actually got it – particularly when it seems unlikely that the 4G auction will actually raise the £4 billion Ed Balls has predicted.The windfall from the 4G auction is a rare bit of good news for the public finances, and any money it raises must be used wisely.

The Guardian

"The Heritage Lottery Fund is pleased to be playing a significant role in helping the Ashmolean secure Manet's Portrait of Mademoiselle Claus, particularly as it is unlikely that a work of this calibre will become available again at such a competitive price".

BBC

It seems likely that the downregulation of the hsp-16 family and ftn-1 contributes to the higher sensitivity to juglone in xpa-1 and nth-1, particularly as it is unlikely that a short acute exposure to oxidizing agents (or heat-stress) may lead to DNA-damage mediated toxicity on organismal level.

Aging

If he comes out in favour, or does not protest particularly vocally, it seems highly unlikely that his party will succeed in blocking a deal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "particularly unlikely that" when you want to express a strong sense of improbability, especially when contrasting it with other possibilities. For example, "While some theories exist, it's "particularly unlikely that" this one holds true given the evidence."

Common error

Avoid stacking negative phrases like "not particularly unlikely" as it can confuse the reader. Opt for a more direct and positive statement such as "quite probable" or "relatively likely" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "particularly unlikely that" functions as a modal expression indicating a high degree of improbability or disbelief. It qualifies a statement, suggesting it's not merely unlikely, but notably so. Ludwig provides real-world examples, showcasing its role in scholarly and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "particularly unlikely that" is a phrase used to convey a strong sense of improbability or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in both scientific and journalistic contexts. While less common than simpler alternatives, it adds emphasis when expressing skepticism. The phrase is most frequently found in science and news media, reflecting a formal and precise register. Consider similar phrases like "highly improbable that" or "very doubtful that" for similar effect. Avoid overuse and stacking negative constructions to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely unlikely that

Similar to the original phrase but emphasizes the degree of unlikeliness.

highly improbable that

Emphasizes the low probability of something occurring, focusing on the statistical unlikelihood.

very doubtful that

Highlights the uncertainty and skepticism surrounding a particular outcome or situation.

not likely at all that

A more emphatic way of expressing that something is improbable.

scarcely believable that

Focuses on the difficulty in accepting something as true or possible.

hardly conceivable that

Suggests that an idea or event is difficult to imagine or consider as a possibility.

remote chance that

Indicates that there is only a small possibility of something happening.

virtually impossible that

Implies that something is so unlikely that it is almost impossible.

against all odds that

Suggests that something would happen despite very unfavorable circumstances.

little to no prospect that

Indicates that there is almost no chance of a particular outcome.

FAQs

What does "particularly unlikely that" mean?

The phrase "particularly unlikely that" suggests that something is not just improbable, but exceptionally so. It indicates a strong degree of doubt or skepticism about a specific outcome or possibility.

How can I use "particularly unlikely that" in a sentence?

You can use "particularly unlikely that" to express your disbelief or skepticism about a scenario. For example, "Given the lack of evidence, it is "particularly unlikely that" the defendant is innocent."

What are some alternatives to "particularly unlikely that"?

Alternatives include "highly improbable that", "very doubtful that", or "scarcely believable that". These options offer similar levels of skepticism with slightly different nuances.

Is it ever appropriate to use "particularly unlikely that" in informal conversation?

While "particularly unlikely that" is more common in formal writing and speech, it can be used in informal contexts where you want to emphasize your strong doubt about something. However, simpler phrases like "highly unlikely" might be more natural in everyday conversation.