smallest likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smallest likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing probabilities or chances, particularly in contexts like statistics, risk assessment, or decision-making. Example: "Given the evidence presented, the smallest likelihood of success is still better than no chance at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At Bristol University, researchers led by Matt Watson, a professor of geophysics, are trying to determine which particles would have the maximum desired impact with the smallest likelihood of unwanted side effects.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even in the small likelihood there is no spill, the drilling itself will disturb our animals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet, there was small likelihood of my performing this good deed.

The New York Times

Couples with children, he discovered, immediately seized on a hidden attraction: small likelihood of the downstairs neighbors complaining about the patter of little feet upstairs.

The New York Times

And such a suit has only a small likelihood of success because the board will again hide behind its new chief executive and his plans.

The New York Times

A review in the New York Post read: "Given the vanishingly small likelihood that an established criminal's promise to go straight at any given moment should be taken seriously, the film doesn't push the idea of incipient redemption too much.

The Guardian - Film

They are called "forbidden" because, according to the rules of quantum mechanics, the atomic transitions from higher to lower energy states responsible for lines have only a small likelihood of occurring under normal laboratory conditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I thought, 'I've got to get him.' " Lin was an ideal candidate for the Montgomery Sports Group — a player with a big ceiling and a small likelihood of attracting larger agencies, who are not likely to dwell on Ivy Leaguers.

The New York Times - Sports

The likelihood on the Yahoo talks is only about 50-50 thanyany form of marketing alliance comes out of them, and a significantly smaller likelihood even than that, that it would result in an outright acquisition of eBay by Yahoo -- although that possibility had not been ruled out.

The New York Times

Every single condition for a democratic transition at the national level seems to be at hand: a popular disgust for the PRI, a lust for change, a feeling of freedom, a smaller likelihood of large-scale fraud and an opposition leader who radiates brio with every oversize step he takes.

The New York Times - Magazine

In addition, he is 80 years old, so prosecutors may have concluded that there was little upside to a guilty plea when there was only a small likelihood that a person of his stature and professional background would receive a prison sentence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smallest likelihood", consider the context. In scientific writing, "lowest probability" might be more appropriate. In informal contexts, "least chance" works well.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "smallest likelihood" means impossibility. It still implies a chance, however minimal. For absolute impossibility, use "no likelihood" or "impossible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smallest likelihood" functions as a noun phrase, where "smallest" modifies the noun "likelihood". It denotes the minimal degree of probability associated with a particular event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smallest likelihood" serves to convey a minimal probability of an event, as validated by Ludwig. Although grammatically sound, its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in scientific and news contexts. When writing, consider the register; while acceptable in many situations, more formal contexts might benefit from terms like "lowest probability". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and understandable, emphasizing the importance of context in choosing the most fitting expression to convey a low probability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lowest probability

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability", emphasizing a quantitative assessment.

least chance

Uses "chance" instead of "likelihood", offering a more informal tone.

minimal possibility

Substitutes "likelihood" with "possibility", highlighting the existence of a slim chance.

negligible risk

Emphasizes the insignificance of the risk associated with the event.

slightest prospect

Focuses on the very small prospect or expectation of something happening.

remote chance

Indicates that the chance of something occurring is very distant or improbable.

unlikely event

Describes the occurrence as improbable.

vanishingly small probability

Emphasizes the extremely low probability, almost to the point of being non-existent.

tiniest hope

Uses "hope" instead of "likelihood" to describe a positive outcome.

improbable scenario

Highlights the scenario as one that is not likely to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "smallest likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "smallest likelihood" to describe an event that is very unlikely to occur. For example, "Despite the risks, there is a smallest likelihood of complications during the procedure."

What are some alternatives to "smallest likelihood"?

Some alternatives to "smallest likelihood" include "lowest probability", "least chance", or "minimal possibility", depending on the context.

Is "smallest likelihood" formal or informal?

"Smallest likelihood" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, but alternatives like "lowest probability" might be preferred in very formal or scientific writing.

What is the difference between "smallest likelihood" and "no likelihood"?

"Smallest likelihood" implies there's still a possibility, however slim, whereas "no likelihood" means there is absolutely no possibility at all. They are not interchangeable.