raise the probability of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise the probability of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood or chance of an event occurring, often in scientific or statistical contexts. Example: "Implementing these safety measures can raise the probability of preventing accidents in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

That exposure level is too low to cause immediate health effects, but may raise the probability of developing cancer.

The New York Times

When the forecasters raise the probability of a given outcome, what they are usually saying is that the polls, on average, have shifted in that direction.

The New Yorker

Allow that to happen, and we inadvertently increase the impact of the attack - and arguably raise the probability of a repeat.

Independent

Cockerill and Youngs said they would have preferred a penalty try to cards, although sideways movement did not raise the probability of a try being scored, but it was a foretaste of what Bath can expect.

The Guardian - Sport

"Together, what they did for the accounting profession is lower the probability of discovery, raise the probability of not being named a defendant, and increase the probability of the case being dismissed on a pretrial motion," he said.

The New York Times

Furthermore, observable factors that raise the probability of one decision raise the probability of the other two as well in 12 of 15 instances.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Menzies (1989, 1996) discusses examples involving causal pre-emption where non-causes raise the probabilities of non-effects.

SEP

Given the basic probability-raising idea, one would expect putative counterexamples to probabilistic theories of causation to be of two basic types: cases where causes fail to raise the probabilities of their effects, and cases where non-causes raise the probabilities of non-effects.

SEP

With his killing they've raised the probability of these attacks resuming, as is happening now.

The Guardian - Opinion

If a market investment provides a financial incentive for that person to act, the market has raised the probability of the assassination or terrorist attack.

The New York Times

Economists at investment bank Citi raised the probability of Brexit from 20-30% to 30-40% after Johnson and the justice secretary, Michael Gove, announced their support for the leave campaign.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "raise the probability of", ensure the context clearly defines what factors are contributing to the increased likelihood. For instance, specify the action or condition that leads to the higher probability for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid implying a guaranteed outcome when using "raise the probability of". This phrase indicates an increased likelihood, not a certainty. Instead of saying "This will raise the probability of success", consider "This will raise the probability of success, but does not guarantee it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise the probability of" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that a particular action or condition increases the likelihood of a specific event. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise the probability of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. It serves to denote that a specific action or condition heightens the likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI affirms its validity for use in written English, highlighting its prevalence across various reputable sources. Alternatives such as "increase the likelihood of" or "enhance the chances of" provide similar semantic value, allowing for nuanced expression depending on the desired tone. When employing this phrase, writers should clarify the factors contributing to the increased probability and avoid implying guaranteed outcomes. Remember that it suggests likelihood and not certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the likelihood of

This alternative uses "likelihood" instead of "probability", offering a direct synonym replacement.

enhance the chances of

This alternative replaces "probability" with "chances" and "raise" with "enhance", providing a slightly more informal option.

heighten the possibility of

This alternative uses "possibility" and "heighten" offering a more formal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

improve the odds of

This alternative uses "odds" to represent probability and "improve" to indicate an increase, creating a more colloquial expression.

boost the prospect of

This alternative substitutes "probability" with "prospect" and "raise" with "boost", implying a more optimistic outlook.

increase the potential for

This alternative replaces "probability" with "potential", shifting the focus slightly towards inherent possibility.

contribute to a higher chance of

This alternative rephrases the expression to focus on contribution, indicating a causal relationship.

make more likely

This is a simpler, more direct way of expressing the same concept, suitable for less formal contexts.

promote the opportunity for

This alternative emphasizes the creation of opportunity rather than a pure increase in probability.

encourage the incidence of

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary, focusing on the occurrence or frequency of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "raise the probability of" in a sentence?

You can use "raise the probability of" to indicate that a certain action or factor increases the likelihood of an event occurring. For example, "Implementing safety protocols can "raise the probability of" preventing workplace accidents."

What are some alternatives to "raise the probability of"?

Alternatives include "increase the likelihood of", "enhance the chances of", or "improve the odds of", depending on the desired tone and context.

Is it better to say "raise the probability of" or "increase the probability of"?

Both ""raise the probability of"" and "increase the probability of" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context of the sentence.

Does "raise the probability of" imply a guaranteed outcome?

No, ""raise the probability of"" does not imply a guaranteed outcome. It simply means that the likelihood of a particular event occurring has increased, but there is still a chance that it may not happen.