smallest likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smallest likely" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey a concept of minimal probability or possibility, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "The smallest likely outcome of this experiment is that we will gather some useful data."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Comparing photographs from previous flights with those taken today suggest that the missing wolf was the smallest, likely a pup.

The New York Times

Computational modelling studies identified a 3.3 kDa polypropyletherimine (PETIM -DG as the smallest likely bioactive molecule.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The previous cool period was quite small, likely caused mostly by volcanic activity.

The Guardian

HTC recently stopped developing its large RT tablet, instead focusing on a smaller, likely 7-inch model.

TechCrunch

Simulations revealed only a small, likely experimentally undetectable difference in cell density between the PFC-containing and PFC-free control beads.

Journal of Biotechnology

There's no word if Sequoia has put new money in, and we've been told the amount raised is small, likely in the single digit millions.

TechCrunch

My role is so small, likely insignificant in itself, but I witness scores of others, and together we are an affront to the heinous actions attempting to stomp what makes this country so incredible.

Huffington Post

One is that the number of individuals in the control group is small likely making an appropriate comparison difficult.

BMC Cancer

The latter is clearly smaller, likely due to the fact that the number of P cells is smaller after the Hid treatment.

eLife

The initial colony was small, likely 12 hectares in area, but rapidly expanded during the following century to 40 hectares [ 5].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Many of the studies included in this review were small, likely to be underpowered and with CIs including the possibility of substantial benefit.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assessing possibilities, use "smallest" to describe size and "least likely" to describe probability.

Common error

Avoid using "smallest" when you mean "least likely". "Smallest" refers to physical dimensions or quantity, while "least likely" refers to probability or expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smallest likely" functions as an adjective phrase attempting to modify a noun, expressing a minimal degree of probability or possibility. However, according to Ludwig, this is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "smallest likely" aims to express a minimal probability, it is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for formal writing. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is non-standard. More appropriate alternatives include "least probable" or "minimum likelihood". Although the phrase appears across different sources, including News & Media and Science, it's advisable to opt for clearer and more conventional language to ensure effective communication. Using these alternatives will ensure grammatical correctness and clarity in conveying the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

least probable

Emphasizes the lowest probability among several options, focusing on statistical likelihood.

minimum likelihood

Highlights the smallest degree of likelihood, useful when discussing statistical or quantitative assessments.

smallest chance

Directly refers to the minimum possibility, suitable for straightforward descriptions of likelihood.

remotest chance

Indicates a very small possibility, often used in contexts where the outcome is highly improbable.

slightest possibility

Suggests a minimal chance of something occurring, often used to temper expectations.

negligible probability

Implies that the chance is so small it can be disregarded, common in scientific or technical contexts.

unlikeliest scenario

Highlights that an outcome is improbable compared to others, framing it as a specific situation.

least expected

Focuses on what is anticipated the least, rather than a direct probability assessment.

hardly probable

Suggests that something is not likely, implying a low degree of probability.

least plausible

Indicates that something is the least believable or credible among alternatives.

FAQs

What does "smallest likely" mean?

The phrase "smallest likely" is not standard English. It attempts to convey minimal probability, but lacks clarity. Alternatives like "least probable" or "minimum likelihood" are more appropriate.

How can I use "least probable" in a sentence?

You can use "least probable" to describe an outcome with the lowest chance of occurring. For example, "The least probable outcome of the experiment is a complete failure".

Is it correct to say "smallest likely"?

No, "smallest likely" is grammatically incorrect. Use "least likely" or "least probable" instead to express a minimal chance or probability.

What are some alternatives to "smallest likely"?

Alternatives include "least probable", "minimum likelihood", or "remotest chance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.