the odds are

USAGE SUMMARY

'the odds are' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a way to introduce a statement about the probability of something happening or being true. For example: "The odds are that the rain will stay away for the outdoor festival this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The odds are formidable.

The New York Times

The odds are zero.

The New York Times

The odds are stacked.

The New Yorker

The odds are against her.

The Economist

But the odds are weighted.

The Economist

Now the odds are raised.

The Economist

The odds are surprisingly long.

The Economist

The odds are against it.

The New York Times

The odds are daunting.

The New York Times

The odds are small.

The New York Times - Sports

The odds are unattractive.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the odds are" to introduce a statement about the likelihood of an event, ensuring the context clearly supports the probability being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "the odds are" when you're referring to a certainty or a guaranteed outcome; reserve it for situations involving genuine uncertainty or measurable probability.

Linguistic Context

"The odds are" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a statement regarding the probability or likelihood of a particular outcome. Ludwig provides examples that showcase its versatility across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the odds are" is a versatile phrase used to express the probability of an event. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, but also in formal business and scientific writing. It serves to introduce a statement about the likelihood of a specific outcome, and while it's adaptable to different registers, it's most frequently encountered in neutral settings. When considering alternatives, phrases like "chances are" or "it is likely that" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chances are

Replaces 'odds' with 'chances', maintaining the same meaning of probability.

it is likely that

Uses a more formal structure to express a high probability.

it is probable that

Employs 'probable' instead of 'likely', suggesting a strong possibility.

the probability is

A more direct and quantifiable way of stating the likelihood.

it's a good bet that

An informal alternative emphasizing a confident prediction.

it's expected that

Focuses on anticipation and expectation of a certain outcome.

one can expect

Suggests a reasonable expectation based on available information.

it's foreseeable that

Highlights the predictability of an event or outcome.

the outlook is

Frames the statement as a forecast or prediction.

it seems likely

Uses 'seems' to introduce a degree of uncertainty while still indicating a high probability.

FAQs

How can I use "the odds are" in a sentence?

Use "the odds are" to introduce a statement about the likelihood of something happening. For example, "The odds are that it will rain tomorrow" suggests rain is probable.

What's a more formal alternative to "the odds are"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "it is likely that" or "it is probable that" to express similar probabilities.

Is it correct to say "the odds is" instead of "the odds are"?

No, "the odds are" is the correct form. "Odds" is plural, so it requires the plural verb "are".

What's the difference between "the odds are" and "chances are"?

Both "the odds are" and "chances are" are used to express probability. They are largely interchangeable, with "chances are" being slightly more informal.