pretty unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty unlikely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a low probability of something happening or being true. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it's pretty unlikely that the event will take place as scheduled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A pretty unlikely sample.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Both are pretty unlikely.

The New Yorker

Which is pretty unlikely.

The Guardian - Film

This seems pretty unlikely.

The New Yorker

This is pretty unlikely, however.

The Economist

I think it's pretty unlikely".

The New York Times - Sports

It is theoretically possible, but pretty unlikely.

The Economist

Experience suggests this is pretty unlikely.

The Economist

"Seems pretty unlikely, doesn't it?" Page said.

Independent

But some pretty unlikely things have happened.

The Guardian

I'm pretty unlikely to live beyond 100.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing uncertainty about future events, use "pretty unlikely" to convey a moderate degree of doubt without sounding overly negative or pessimistic.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty unlikely" when a situation is clearly impossible; opt for stronger terms like "impossible" or "certainly not". "Pretty unlikely" suggests a small chance remains.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty unlikely" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, expressing a low degree of probability or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty unlikely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that expresses a moderate degree of doubt or disbelief. As Ludwig AI notes, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. It's commonly found in news, media, and academic sources to convey skepticism without absolute denial. While "pretty unlikely" is considered neutral, it is useful to consider alternatives such as "highly improbable" or "somewhat doubtful" depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid using this phrase when something is definitely impossible, opting instead for stronger terms like "impossible".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather improbable

Emphasizes improbability to a greater extent.

somewhat doubtful

Highlights the element of doubt more explicitly.

quite dubious

Introduces a stronger sense of uncertainty and skepticism.

fairly questionable

Focuses on the aspect of being open to question or challenge.

reasonably implausible

Stresses the lack of believability in a situation.

highly improbable

Indicates a very low chance of occurring or being true.

not very probable

Negates the idea of something being likely.

scarcely believable

Puts focus on how difficult something is to believe.

hardly likely

Indicates that something is not expected to happen.

against the odds

Highlights the improbability in terms of overcoming obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty unlikely" in a sentence?

Use "pretty unlikely" to express that something has a low probability of happening or being true. For example, "It's pretty unlikely that the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to "pretty unlikely"?

You can use alternatives like "rather improbable", "somewhat doubtful", or "highly improbable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "very unlikely" instead of "pretty unlikely"?

Yes, "very unlikely" is a valid and often stronger alternative to "pretty unlikely". Both phrases express a low probability, but "very unlikely" suggests a greater degree of improbability.

What's the difference between "unlikely" and "pretty unlikely"?

"Unlikely" suggests a low probability, while "pretty unlikely" softens the statement slightly, indicating a somewhat lower degree of certainty about the improbability.