reduce the probability of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the probability of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to decrease the likelihood or chance of something happening. This phrase can be used in any situation where you want to express the idea of minimizing the possibility of a certain event occurring. Example: - Studying regularly can help reduce the probability of failing the exam. - Implementing safety measures can reduce the probability of accidents in the workplace. - Hiring a financial advisor can reduce the probability of making poor investment decisions. - Eating a balanced diet can reduce the probability of developing certain health conditions.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So too many supernovas reduce the probability of life evolving.

MIT Technology Review

Doesn't Nafta reduce the probability of conflict between Mexico and the United States?

The New York Times - Books

"By adding fixed income to that, we can significantly reduce the probability of loss".

The New York Times

They reduce the probability of stockouts in diversified production contexts.

International Journal of Production Economics

Putting bars on our windows won't reduce the probability of intruders if our doors are wide open.

The New York Times

But the American Pregnancy Association suggests that women can reduce the probability of stretch marks (the key word being "probability").

The New York Times

Thus, premature growth can actually reduce the probability of reaching the inflection point that triggers exponential growth.

Harvard Business Review

Solutions of this kind will never entirely eliminate unplanned iterations, but they will certainly reduce the probability of them.

Harvard Business Review

Stress, however, has been shown to reduce the probability of conception.

The New York Times

Such surroundings might reduce the probability of movement because they could reduce local wind speeds.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

We explain how firm-level strategies can reduce the probability of a 'bumpy road' in partnerships.

Research Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "reduce the probability of" an undesirable outcome, quantify the potential impact and the resources required for mitigation. This demonstrates a clear understanding of the issue and the value of the proposed solution.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the probability of" when the goal is complete elimination. The phrase implies a decrease in likelihood, not a guarantee of prevention. For complete elimination, consider stronger terms such as "eliminate", "prevent", or "avoid".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the probability of" functions as a verb phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating an action taken to lessen the likelihood of a specific outcome. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce the probability of" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey the act of lessening the likelihood of an event. According to Ludwig AI, it is applicable in various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting and business strategies. The phrase enjoys widespread use across numerous authoritative sources, which confirms its legitimacy and relevance. When employing this phrase, it is important to consider the desired degree of mitigation; if complete prevention is intended, stronger alternatives such as "eliminate" or "prevent" may be more suitable. In essence, understanding the nuances of this phrase ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease the likelihood of

Changes the verb from "reduce" to "decrease" and uses "likelihood" instead of "probability", maintaining the same meaning.

minimize the chance of

Replaces "reduce" with "minimize" and "probability" with "chance", suggesting a goal of making something as unlikely as possible.

lessen the risk of

Substitutes "probability" with "risk", focusing on the potential negative consequences that are being made less likely.

mitigate the odds of

Uses "mitigate" to suggest lessening the impact or severity and "odds" as a synonym for probability, implying a slightly more formal tone.

diminish the prospect of

Employs "diminish" to mean reduce and uses "prospect" to refer to the possibility of something happening in the future.

weaken the possibility of

Uses "weaken" to describe making something less strong or likely, and "possibility" as a general term for something that could happen.

curtail the likelihood of

Replaces "reduce" with "curtail", suggesting a restriction or limitation of the likelihood.

lower the incidence of

Substitutes "probability" with "incidence", which refers to the rate at which something occurs, often used in scientific or medical contexts.

attenuate the potential for

Uses "attenuate" to mean weaken or reduce, and "potential" to indicate the possibility of something occurring.

impair the opportunity for

Replaces "reduce" with "impair", which suggests a weakening or damaging effect, and focuses on reducing the opportunity for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "reduce the probability of" to describe actions taken to lower the likelihood of an event. For example, "Wearing a seatbelt can "reduce the probability of" serious injury in a car accident".

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

Some alternatives to "reduce the probability of" include "decrease the likelihood of", "minimize the chance of", or "lessen the risk of".

Is it more appropriate to say "reduce the probability of" or "lower the probability of"?

Both "reduce the probability of" and "lower the probability of" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "reduce the probability of" and "eliminate the possibility of"?

"Reduce the probability of" implies lessening the chance of something occurring, while "eliminate the possibility of" means completely preventing it. "Reduce the probability of" suggests mitigation, whereas eliminate suggests complete prevention.