raise the likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

"raise the likelihood" is an idiomatic phrase that is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to suggest that an event or outcome has become more likely, or likely to happen. For example, "The recent improvement in the company's financial health has raised the likelihood of a dividend payout this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Internal determinants raise the likelihood of piece rates, while response to external needs lowers the probability.

Economics Letters

We show poor financial literacy and present bias raise the likelihood of choosing an AMP.

Journal of Banking & Finance

The findings could raise the likelihood of finding actionable targets in individual patients with breast cancer.

Columbia University

To raise the likelihood that product innovations and process innovations in general will be environmentally friendly.

Harvard Business Review

By Stephen S. Hall Low birth weight seemed to raise the likelihood of illnesses like heart disease.

The New Yorker

When there is a difference, the professors find that having the technological edge does not raise the likelihood of victory.

The New York Times

The spending cuts will shrink growth and raise the likelihood of pushing the country back into recession.

The New York Times

Regularly taking aspirin may slightly raise the likelihood of developing a degenerative eye condition, a new study found.

The New York Times

Most important, at a time like this, it would raise the likelihood that those beset by long-term unemployment would get the benefits they need and deserve.

The New York Times

A reduced majority seems increasingly likely, an outcome that would probably imperil Modi's economic reforms, raise the likelihood of party infighting and strengthen his coalition partners' leverage.

The Washington Post

Ongoing warming might be expected to raise the likelihood of occurrence of events such as the 2015/16 Tasman Sea MHW.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raise the likelihood" when you want to emphasize that a specific action or factor makes a particular outcome more probable. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is influencing the increased probability.

Common error

Avoid using "raise the likelihood" when only a correlation exists. Ensure there's a logical or established causal link between the action and the increased probability, not just a coincidental relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise the likelihood" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express that a certain action or condition makes a specific outcome more probable. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a valid and frequently used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise the likelihood" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote an increase in the probability of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various domains. It is commonly found in news and media, scientific research, and formal business contexts, suggesting its suitability for objective and informative communication. While alternatives like "increase the probability" or "enhance the chance" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and specific nuance. When using the phrase, ensure a clear causal link exists to avoid implying unwarranted connections. As Ludwig demonstrates, "raise the likelihood" is a valuable tool for expressing probabilistic relationships in a clear and concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the probability

Changes the verb to "increase" and uses "probability" instead of "likelihood", maintaining the core meaning.

enhance the chance

Uses "enhance" for "raise" and "chance" for "likelihood", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

heighten the odds

Replaces "raise" with "heighten" and "likelihood" with "odds", providing a more colloquial option.

boost the prospect

Substitutes "raise" with "boost" and "likelihood" with "prospect", suggesting a more positive or favorable outcome.

escalate the possibility

Employs "escalate" to indicate a more significant increase and uses "possibility" instead of "likelihood".

augment the potential

Uses "augment" for "raise" and "potential" for "likelihood", implying a growth in inherent capacity.

maximize the opportunity

Shifts focus to making the most of a situation, using "opportunity" instead of "likelihood".

improve the outlook

Indicates a more favorable future scenario, changing the focus from probability to overall prospects.

foster the expectation

Suggests nurturing a belief that something will happen, rather than simply increasing its probability.

cultivate the anticipation

Focuses on creating a sense of excitement or expectation, moving away from the core concept of probability.

FAQs

How can I use "raise the likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "raise the likelihood" to indicate that a particular action or circumstance increases the probability of a specific outcome. For example, "Implementing stricter security measures will "increase the probability" of preventing cyberattacks."

What are some alternatives to "raise the likelihood"?

Some alternatives to "raise the likelihood" include "increase the probability", "enhance the chance", or "boost the prospect". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "raise the likelihood" and "increase the likelihood"?

While both phrases are very similar, "raise the likelihood" might imply a more active or direct influence, whereas "increase the probability" can be more general. The difference is subtle and often negligible.

Which prepositions typically follow "raise the likelihood"?

The most common preposition to follow "raise the likelihood" is "of". For example, "This policy will raise the likelihood of success". You can also use "that" to introduce a clause: "These efforts raise the likelihood that the project will be completed on time".