somewhat unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

"somewhat unlikely" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You would use it to describe something that is not impossible, but unlikely. For example, "It's somewhat unlikely that he will come to the party without an invitation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Has become a somewhat unlikely TV star.

Independent

Mr. Singer was a somewhat unlikely messenger.

The New York Times

It is a somewhat unlikely trade union.

The Guardian

However he is a doughty and somewhat unlikely international cricketer.

The Guardian - Sport

Or the description at least, where it's perhaps somewhat unlikely that you would get a contamination.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

After a nearly fruitless search, we ultimately raised $400,000 from a somewhat unlikely source-J.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That Sheets is in Oakland is somewhat unlikely, considering his guaranteed salary of $10 million.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a somewhat unlikely home for a blockbuster children's book series.

The Economist

That catalyst has been provided by the somewhat unlikely controversy over female bishops.

The New York Times

Ms. Presenhuber, the Zurich-based gallery owner, made a somewhat unlikely comparison.

The New York Times - Travel

But the conglomerate found a defender in a somewhat unlikely source: George Clooney.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat unlikely" to express a degree of uncertainty or doubt without completely dismissing the possibility. It's suitable when you want to acknowledge a chance, however small, of something occurring.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat unlikely" when the situation is clearly impossible or highly improbable. Reserve it for scenarios where there's a genuine, albeit small, chance of occurrence. Instead, consider using stronger terms like "highly improbable" or "virtually impossible" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat unlikely" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the degree to which something is not likely to occur. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase signals a measured level of doubt or uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat unlikely" is a versatile expression used to convey a moderate degree of improbability. Grammatically sound and widely accepted, as Ludwig AI confirms, it allows for a nuanced assessment of potential outcomes. Its frequency across diverse contexts, particularly in news and academia, underscores its widespread utility. When writing, remember to use "somewhat unlikely" when a possibility remains, but is not the most probable outcome, and to avoid overstating improbability when stronger terms are more appropriate. By considering these nuances, you can effectively leverage "somewhat unlikely" to enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly unlikely

Replaces "somewhat" with "fairly", indicating a similar level of improbability.

pretty unlikely

Substitutes "somewhat" with "pretty", conveying a slightly more informal tone but similar meaning.

somewhat improbable

Replaces "unlikely" with "improbable", offering a more formal synonym.

slightly improbable

Swaps "somewhat" with "slightly", indicating a minor deviation in likelihood.

a bit unlikely

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey a similar level of improbability.

not very likely

Expresses the idea in a negative construction, focusing on the lack of likelihood.

moderately improbable

Replaces "somewhat" with "moderately", providing a slightly more formal tone.

hardly probable

Suggests that something is almost definitely not going to happen.

scarcely likely

Suggests that something is almost definitely not going to happen.

not particularly probable

Emphasizes the lack of probability using a more elaborate phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat unlikely" to express a degree of uncertainty or doubt about a particular outcome. For example, "It's somewhat unlikely that the project will be completed on time due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to saying "somewhat unlikely"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "fairly unlikely", "pretty unlikely", or "slightly improbable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "somewhat unlikely" in formal writing?

Yes, "somewhat unlikely" is appropriate for formal writing. It expresses a measured degree of improbability without being overly colloquial. However, consider using synonyms like "moderately improbable" for an even more formal tone.

What's the difference between "somewhat unlikely" and "very unlikely"?

"Somewhat unlikely" suggests there's a small chance of something happening, while "very unlikely" indicates the chances are even slimmer. The choice depends on the degree of improbability you want to convey.