substantially more likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially more likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the probability of two events or outcomes, indicating a significant difference in likelihood. Example: "Based on the data, the new treatment is substantially more likely to succeed than the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moreover, high-tech establishments have a substantial fraction of scientists, and are substantially more likely to invest in R&D.

IZA Journal of Migration

Studies show that the uninsured are substantially more likely to require hospitalization for festering medical problems like diabetes.

The New York Times

White voters were substantially more likely to own guns than Hispanics or blacks.

The New York Times

"People who are shot are substantially more likely to die than people injured with nongun weapons," Dr. Wiebe said.

The New York Times - Health

In past years, women with infants were substantially more likely to be employed if they had only one child than if they had two or more.

The New York Times

Blacks, by contrast, are substantially more likely to support public investment in education and job training as a crime-prevention measure.

The New Yorker

More educated, better-off people were substantially more likely to report being as financially secure as they were before the recession began.

The New York Times

Students who received the information were substantially more likely to attend top colleges — colleges with more resources and higher graduation rates — than students who did not receive them.

The New York Times

Given the equities here — TSX would be substantially more likely to win a proxy contest — the court may not be predisposed to such a remedy, instead leaving any harsh medicine to the S.E.C. itself.

The New York Times

African-Americans and first-time mothers, with rates of 2.3percentand2.1percentcent, respectively, were also substantially more likely than average to have a Caesarean without a medical reason.

The New York Times - Health

Among regular churchgoers, those with one type of the gene that make the 5HTT transporter molecule in the walls of neuron cells (don't ask) are substantially more likely to vote than those with the other.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the comparison being made is clear. Specify what the subject is more likely to do or experience compared to what.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially more likely" without sufficient evidence. Overstating the likelihood can weaken your argument and damage your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially more likely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the degree to which something is probable, implying a significantly higher chance of occurrence. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially more likely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a significantly higher probability of an event or outcome. Ludwig AI analysis, confirmed by Ludwig examples, shows that the phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, primarily in news and scientific contexts. While the register is generally neutral, leaning toward formal, it is crucial to provide supporting evidence when using the phrase to avoid overstating claims. Alternatives such as "significantly more probable" or "considerably more apt to" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly more probable

Emphasizes the statistical significance of the increased likelihood.

considerably more apt to

Highlights a natural tendency or inclination towards something.

markedly more inclined to

Suggests a clear and noticeable preference or leaning.

appreciably more liable to

Indicates a noticeable increase in the chance of something undesirable happening.

noticeably more prone to

Focuses on an increased susceptibility or vulnerability.

distinctly more apt to

Highlights a clear and easily recognizable tendency.

demonstrably more disposed to

Suggests that the increased likelihood can be clearly shown or proven.

materially more inclined to

Implies a tangible and important increase in likelihood.

remarkably more liable to

Emphasizes the surprising or noteworthy nature of the increased risk.

decidedly more prone to

Indicates a definite and unambiguous increase in susceptibility.

FAQs

How can I use "substantially more likely" in a sentence?

You can use "substantially more likely" to compare the probability of two different outcomes or events. For example: "Based on current trends, the company is "substantially more likely" to exceed its revenue targets this quarter than last quarter."

What are some alternatives to "substantially more likely"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly more probable", "considerably more apt to", or "markedly more inclined to" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "substantially more likely" or "much more likely"?

"Substantially more likely" often implies a greater degree of difference in likelihood compared to "much more likely". The choice depends on the specific context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "substantially more likely" and "slightly more likely"?

"Substantially more likely" indicates a significant difference in probability, while "slightly more likely" suggests a minimal or marginal difference.