that seems highly improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems highly improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a particular situation or event occurring. Example: "Given the evidence presented, that seems highly improbable that he would have acted alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Even if the legislature fails to pass a bill this session, the governor could call yet another special session (though that seems highly improbable).

Vice

Put on the spot during a debate in a way that seems highly improbable, even in our deeply nasty political climate, Josie follows Olivia's advice and admits that she gave birth to a child she later gave up.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They're fast, intricate and bold and they need to win in Dublin to earn a play-off spot that seemed highly improbable when the groups were picked possible when: other than in 1998, when they finished fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, Armenia have always finished bottom or second from bottom.

The Guardian - Sport

That seems highly unlikely.

The New York Times

That seems highly unlikely, however.

Science Magazine

That also seems highly improbable.

HuffPost

For now, that seems highly unlikely.

The New York Times

What that will look like post-IS is difficult to guess, but it seems highly improbable that Syria and Iraq (and even perhaps Jordan and Turkey) will return to what they were pre-IS.

Huffington Post

It seems highly improbable that they will let him leave.

The New York Times - Sports

It still seems highly improbable that Mr Barroso will actually be forced to step down.

The Economist

"It seems highly improbable that there would be a quick defeat of eastern Aleppo," the source said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that seems highly improbable" to express skepticism about an event or situation without completely dismissing it. It acknowledges a possibility, however remote.

Common error

Avoid using "that seems highly improbable" when you want to express absolute certainty that something will not happen. A phrase like "that is impossible" is more appropriate for expressing absolute certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems highly improbable" functions as an evaluative statement. It expresses a judgment about the likelihood of something occurring or being true. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's usable in written English to express doubt or skepticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that seems highly improbable" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey skepticism or doubt about the likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications, making it appropriate for neutral and professional registers. While effective for expressing doubt without complete dismissal, alternative phrases such as "that appears very unlikely" or "that seems quite doubtful" can be used for slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that appears very unlikely

Focuses on the low probability of something happening, using "unlikely" instead of "improbable".

that seems quite doubtful

Emphasizes the uncertainty and skepticism surrounding the possibility, using "doubtful" instead of "improbable".

that's not very plausible

Highlights the lack of believability, using "plausible" to suggest something is not convincing.

that appears to be a long shot

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest a low chance of success or occurrence.

that is quite far-fetched

Suggests that something is difficult to believe or accept, using "far-fetched" to emphasize its implausibility.

that borders on the impossible

Emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood, almost suggesting impossibility.

that looks extremely dubious

Highlights the questionable or suspicious nature of something, implying a lack of credibility.

that seems like a remote possibility

Indicates that something is unlikely to happen, emphasizing the distance from reality.

the chances of that are slim

Uses a direct and concise way to express low probability.

it is doubtful that will happen

Directly expresses doubt about a future event, focusing on the lack of expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "that seems highly improbable" in a sentence?

You can use "that seems highly improbable" to express your skepticism about the likelihood of a particular event. For example, "Given the current economic climate, "that seems highly improbable" that the company will achieve record profits this year."

What are some alternatives to "that seems highly improbable"?

Alternatives include "that appears very unlikely", "that seems quite doubtful", or "that's not very plausible". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that seems highly improbable", or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "that seems highly improbable" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Other similar phrases, like "that appears to be a long shot" or "that is quite far-fetched", can be used to add variety to your writing.

What's the difference between "that seems improbable" and "that seems highly improbable"?

Adding "highly" emphasizes the degree of improbability. "That seems improbable" suggests something is unlikely, while "that seems highly improbable" suggests it's very unlikely. Therefore, using "highly" intensifies the expression.