substantially less likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially less likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the probability of one event occurring in relation to another, indicating a significant difference in likelihood. Example: "Given the new evidence, it is substantially less likely that the defendant was at the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Frankly, had he run, it would have made it substantially less likely," Mr. Gingrich said in a fresh stirring of the campaign stew.

The New York Times

VITA sites serve low- and moderate-income people, who are substantially less likely to be registered to vote or to vote than higher-income Americans.

The Washington Post

Not only were they substantially less likely than their parents and grandparents to cross county, state, and regional lines, they were also much less likely than whites of the fourth generation to move long distances.

University of California, Berkeley

Researchers from the Department of Veterans Affairs found this year that people who drank moderate amounts of coffee appeared substantially less likely to develop Parkinson's, a debilitating neurological disease.

The New York Times - Health

Much of Trump's support comes from blue-collar voters, he said, calling them "substantially less likely to actually turn out than are upscale voters, especially in caucuses, but also in primaries".

The New Yorker

I'm not sure traditional ideas of marriage have changed, but later-born birth cohorts of WNH without a college degree are substantially less likely to get married, or stay married.

The Guardian

If you happen to be a crewman on the average tanker with a great idea for a change of direction, the odds of getting your captain to change course are substantially less likely.

Harvard Business Review

For instance, according to Child Trends, black fathers are substantially less likely than white or Hispanic fathers to hug their children or show them physical affection, or to tell them that they love them.

The New York Times

But Charles M. Silver, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, said changes in personal injury law and a "pro-defendant" posture in the judicial branch made such a large financial award substantially less likely.

The New York Times

This finding applies across the lifecourse, even at later ages; e.g., obese unmarried women in their early fifties are substantially less likely to marry by their mid-sixties than are women with lower body mass indexes (BMIs), even when controlling for level of education, personal income, and occupational prestige.

Princeton University

An international team of researchers found that in more than 200,000 people from Savannah to Shanghai, those who regularly ate peanuts and other nuts were substantially less likely to have died of any cause — particularly heart disease — over the study period than those who rarely ate nuts.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially less likely", quantify the difference in likelihood whenever possible to provide a clearer understanding. For example, instead of saying "It is substantially less likely to rain tomorrow", specify "It is 20% less likely to rain tomorrow compared to today."

Common error

Avoid using "substantially less likely" when the evidence only suggests a slight decrease in probability. Ensure that the data genuinely supports a significant difference in likelihood to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially less likely" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the degree to which something is improbable. It serves to emphasize a significant reduction in the likelihood of an event, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

53%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially less likely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses a significant reduction in probability. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the examples demonstrate its wide application across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While versatile, it's essential to ensure the context warrants the strong emphasis conveyed by "substantially", avoiding its use for marginal differences. The phrase is appropriate for formal and informal communication, offering a clear and impactful way to communicate reduced likelihood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably less probable

Emphasizes the noticeable reduction in probability.

significantly less likely

Highlights the importance or impact of the reduced likelihood.

much less likely

Uses a simpler intensifier to express a large difference in probability.

far less likely

Indicates a considerable distance between the likelihoods of two events.

appreciably less likely

Stresses that the reduction in likelihood is easily noticed or measured.

markedly less likely

Highlights the distinct and clear difference in likelihood.

noticeably less likely

Focuses on the ease with which the reduced likelihood can be observed.

distinctly less likely

Emphasizes the clear and unambiguous nature of the reduced likelihood.

substantially improbable

Shifts the focus to the improbability of the event rather than its likelihood.

significantly improbable

Highlights the importance or impact of the reduced probability, focusing on improbability.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "substantially less likely" in a sentence?

Use "substantially less likely" to indicate a significant reduction in the probability of an event occurring, compared to another. For example, "With the new safety measures, accidents are "substantially less likely" to occur."

What are some alternatives to "substantially less likely"?

Alternatives include "considerably less probable", "significantly less likely", or "much less likely", depending on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "less likely" and "substantially less likely"?

"Less likely" indicates a general decrease in probability. "Substantially less likely" emphasizes that the decrease is significant or considerable. The latter is used when the difference in likelihood is noteworthy.

Can I use "substantially less likely" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantially less likely" is appropriate for formal writing. It is clear, precise, and avoids colloquialisms. It's suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.