seems unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

"seems unlikely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or disbelief about something. For example: Even though there have been some reports of extraterrestrial activity, it seems unlikely that alien life actually exists.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And that seems unlikely.

The Economist

That now seems unlikely.

The Economist

This seems unlikely.

The New York Times

This also seems unlikely.

The Economist

But that seems unlikely.

The New York Times

Now, that seems unlikely.

The New York Times - Sports

Dinner seems unlikely.

The New York Times - Food

Again seems unlikely.

Independent

Shuffleboard seems unlikely.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This now seems unlikely.

Independent

Which seems unlikely.  .

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seems unlikely", provide context or reasons for your skepticism. This adds credibility to your statement and helps the reader understand your perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "seems unlikely" when you want to express strong disbelief or certainty. In such cases, stronger phrases like "is impossible" or "is certainly not the case" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems unlikely" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment of probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys a degree of doubt or disbelief, which is supported by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems unlikely" is a versatile phrase used to express a moderate level of doubt or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, as demonstrated by the examples. To avoid overstating doubt, ensure it aligns with the intended level of disbelief. Remember to provide context or reasons for your skepticism to enhance credibility. Alternatives like "appears improbable" or "is doubtful" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. As a final check, you can use Ludwig to compare your sentence with existing examples of "seems unlikely" to refine the phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears improbable

Emphasizes a lack of probability, similar to "seems unlikely" but with a slightly more formal tone.

is improbable

States that something is not probable, similar in meaning to "seems unlikely" but with a more definitive tone.

appears doubtful

Focuses on the presence of doubt, suggesting a stronger level of skepticism than "seems unlikely".

is hardly likely

Highlights the low likelihood of something happening, offering a more emphatic alternative to "seems unlikely".

has little chance

Highlights the minimal possibility of something occurring, presenting a straightforward assessment of likelihood.

is not expected

Suggests that something is not anticipated or predicted, differing from "seems unlikely" by focusing on expectations.

is questionable

Indicates uncertainty or doubt about the validity or possibility of something, presenting a more direct challenge than "seems unlikely".

remains doubtful

Emphasizes the persistence of doubt, suggesting that the situation has not improved or clarified.

is not promising

Suggests a lack of positive indications or signs, focusing on the potential outcome rather than the likelihood.

is a long shot

Implies that something has a very low chance of success, offering a more figurative alternative to "seems unlikely".

FAQs

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

You can use "seems unlikely" to express doubt or disbelief about a situation or outcome. For example, "Given the current economic climate, a rapid recovery "seems unlikely"."

What are some alternatives to "seems unlikely"?

Alternatives include "appears improbable", "is doubtful", or "is a long shot" depending on the context.

Is "seems unlikely" formal or informal?

"Seems unlikely" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It strikes a balance between expressing doubt and maintaining a neutral tone. If you want to be very formal, you could use "appears improbable" or "is highly improbable".

What does it mean when someone says something "seems unlikely"?

It means they believe the event or situation in question is not probable or has a low chance of happening. It implies a degree of skepticism without completely dismissing the possibility.