substantial likelihood that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial likelihood that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express a significant chance or probability of something occurring. Example: "There is a substantial likelihood that the project will be completed ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there is a substantial likelihood that it will eventually be overruled or limited.

The Washington Post

There is a substantial likelihood that intervenor- plaintiffs will prevail on the merits of their claim.

Yale University

However, there is a substantial likelihood that there is some time-order dependence in the results.

Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference

"There is a substantial likelihood that officers will wrongfully arrest legal resident aliens," she wrote.

The New York Times

Last month a Federal judge concluded that there was a "substantial likelihood" that Intergraph would succeed in proving that claim.

The New York Times

Surveying medical opinion on the subject, Justice Breyer said there was a "substantial likelihood" that the method at issue was "a safer abortion method in certain circumstances".

The New York Times

He said the new guidance should be applied to those cases if practicable when there was a "substantial likelihood" that it would make more material public.

The New York Times

The 90-minute hearing focused essentially on one question: was there a substantial likelihood that the prisoner, Thomas Trantino, would revert to crime if freed on parole?

The New York Times

Judge Shira A. Scheindlin of Federal District Court in Manhattan found "a substantial likelihood that the jury will be prejudiced" by further debate in the press.

The New York Times

"There is a substantial likelihood that, absent prospective monetary sanctions, the commissioner will continue to disregard the orders of the court," Judge Shashy wrote.

The New York Times

We can as outside observers draw the conclusion that there is a fairly substantial likelihood that this Ban Chiang material could be considered stolen property under U.S. law".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial likelihood that" when you want to convey a significant probability, without stating a definitive certainty. It is appropriate for formal and legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial likelihood that" when the outcome is already confirmed or highly improbable. Instead, choose language that accurately reflects the level of certainty or uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial likelihood that" functions as a determiner of probability, indicating a significant chance or risk associated with a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts, serving to qualify statements with a degree of uncertainty, as demonstrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial likelihood that" is a versatile phrase used to express a significant probability or chance of something occurring. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in formal contexts like academia, news, and science. While alternatives such as "significant probability that" or "considerable chance that" exist, it's important to choose the wording that best fits the specific context and desired level of formality. A key takeaway is to avoid overstating certainty and ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the degree of uncertainty involved. The abundance of examples highlights its common usage, providing valuable insights into its application across various disciplines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant probability that

Replaces "likelihood" with "probability" and "substantial" with "significant", maintaining a formal tone.

considerable chance that

Substitutes "likelihood" with "chance" and "substantial" with "considerable", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

high probability that

Uses "high" instead of "substantial" to emphasize the degree of probability.

strong possibility that

Replaces "likelihood" with "possibility" and "substantial" with "strong", indicating a firm belief in the potential for something to happen.

real prospect that

Replaces "likelihood" with "prospect" and "substantial" with "real", suggesting a tangible possibility.

distinct possibility that

Uses "distinct" instead of "substantial" to highlight a clear and noticeable chance.

marked likelihood that

Replaces "substantial" with "marked", drawing attention to a noticeable likelihood.

notable chance that

Uses "notable" in place of "substantial" to indicate that the chance is significant and worthy of attention.

reasonable expectation that

Shifts from likelihood to "reasonable expectation", suggesting a justified anticipation.

good bet that

Offers a more informal alternative, framing the situation as a likely outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial likelihood that" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial likelihood that" to express a significant probability of a particular outcome. For example, "There is a "substantial likelihood that" the company will exceed its projected earnings this quarter."

What's a more informal way to say "substantial likelihood that"?

For a less formal tone, consider using phrases like "good chance that" or "likely to". Keep in mind that these alternatives may not be suitable for legal or highly formal contexts.

Is "substantial likelihood that" the same as "certainty"?

No, "substantial likelihood that" implies a high degree of probability but stops short of absolute certainty. It suggests a strong possibility without a guaranteed outcome. If you want to convey a sense of certainty, use phrases such as "it is certain that".

When is it appropriate to use "substantial likelihood that"?

This phrase is appropriate when you need to express a significant probability or risk, especially in legal, business, or academic writing. It's more precise than simply saying "likely" and conveys a stronger sense of potential.