the likelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the likelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the probability or chance of an event occurring. Example: "The likelihood of rain tomorrow is high, so we should bring umbrellas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The likelihood?

The Guardian

The likelihood of that happening?

The Guardian - Opinion

The likelihood is, yes.

The New York Times

The likelihood of reproach terrified her.

The New Yorker

The likelihood of common-sense leadership emerging?

The New York Times

The likelihood of a compromise remains unclear.

The New York Times

Why increase the likelihood of distraction?

The New Yorker

The likelihood is the former.

The Guardian - Film

"But the likelihood of that is low".

The New York Times - Tech

It simply adds to the likelihood.

The Guardian - Books

And what is the likelihood of that?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing future events or predictions, use "the likelihood" followed by "of" + [noun/gerund] or "that" + [clause] to clearly specify what you are assessing the probability of.

Common error

Avoid using "likely" immediately after "the likelihood". Instead of saying "the likelihood likely", rephrase to something like "the likelihood is high" or "it is likely that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the likelihood" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It quantifies the chance or probability of a specific event or outcome. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its versatile usage in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the likelihood" is a versatile and commonly used noun phrase that expresses the probability or chance of a particular event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts, ranging from news reporting to scientific analysis. While alternatives like "the probability" or "the chance" exist, "the likelihood" offers a nuanced way to assess potential outcomes. Just remember to avoid redundant phrases like "the likelihood likely" and instead opt for clearer constructions. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media and Scientific domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the probability

Replaces "likelihood" with the more formal term "probability".

the chance

Uses a more informal word, "chance", instead of "likelihood".

the odds

Employs "odds", often used in statistical or gambling contexts.

the possibility

Substitutes "likelihood" with "possibility", indicating something that could happen.

the degree of probability

Offers a more detailed and formal way to express "the likelihood".

the prospect

Uses "prospect", focusing on the anticipation or potential of something happening.

the potential

Replaces "likelihood" with "potential", emphasizing the capacity for something to occur.

the extent of probability

Uses "extent" to describe the scope or range of the probability.

the risk

Highlights the potential negative outcome or danger associated with an event.

the plausibility

Replaces "likelihood" with "plausibility", indicating the believability of something occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "the likelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "the likelihood" to discuss the probability of an event. For example, "the likelihood of success is high" or "What is "the likelihood that they will arrive on time"?".

What are some alternatives to "the likelihood"?

Alternatives include "the probability", "the chance", "the odds", or "the possibility", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the likelihood is likely"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "the likelihood is likely" is redundant. It's better to rephrase it as "the likelihood is high" or "it is likely that".

What's the difference between "likelihood" and "probability"?

While often used interchangeably, "probability" is generally a more formal and mathematically precise term than "likelihood". In everyday language, "the probability" and "the likelihood" can be used similarly.