the odds that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the odds that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express the likelihood or probability of a certain event occurring. Example: "The odds that it will rain tomorrow are quite high, so we should bring umbrellas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Against the odds, that turned out to be Mike Catt.

The Guardian - Sport

Getting success against all the odds, that's me.

The Guardian - Sport

What are the odds that's the only one that'll get tonight?

The Guardian - Film

Khamenei's letter increases the odds that such threats could torpedo the nuclear deal.

The Guardian

What are the odds that modern art will be remembered in 2600 as a second Renaissance?

The New York Times

What are the odds that will change at Survivor Series?

Forbes

Odds ratios were generated to understand the odds that an assault would result in a fatality.

Injury Epidemiology

Against the odds, that dream came true.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The odds that that would happen?

The New York Times - Style

To count: What are the odds that you exist?

The New Yorker

What are the odds that he'll eventually run?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the odds that", ensure the context clearly defines the event or outcome being assessed. For example, "The odds that the project will be completed on time are low due to unforeseen delays."

Common error

Avoid treating "the odds that" as a certainty. It represents a probability, not a guaranteed outcome. Saying "The odds that it will rain are high, so it will definitely rain" is a logical fallacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the odds that" functions as a determiner phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It quantifies the likelihood of the event described in the following clause. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is commonly used to express probability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

25%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the odds that" is a versatile and widely used phrase to express the likelihood of an event. It's grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While interchangeable with phrases like "the chances that" or "the probability that", it's crucial to remember that it conveys a probability, not a certainty. According to Ludwig AI, "the odds that" is correct and usable in written English and is typically used to express the likelihood or probability of a certain event occurring.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the chances that

Replaces "odds" with "chances", a slightly less formal synonym.

the probability that

Substitutes "odds" with "probability", a more formal and scientific term.

the likelihood that

Replaces "odds" with "likelihood", a common synonym indicating the chance of something happening.

the prospect that

Suggests a future possibility; slightly less direct than "odds".

it is likely that

Restructures the phrase to focus on the likelihood itself.

it is probable that

Rephrases using "probable", emphasizing a reasonable expectation.

the expectation that

Focuses on what is anticipated, rather than a statistical chance.

the possibility that

Indicates a potential outcome, without specifying the degree of likelihood.

the risk that

Emphasizes the potential negative consequences associated with an event.

how likely is it that

Turns the phrase into a direct question about the likelihood of an event.

FAQs

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

Use "the odds that" to express the probability or likelihood of a specific event. For example, "What are "the odds that" he'll eventually run?"

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

A more formal alternative is "the probability that". For example, instead of "the odds that the company will succeed", you could say "the probability that the company will succeed".

Is it correct to use "the odds are" instead of "the odds that"?

While "the odds are" is grammatically correct, it's often followed by an adjective or adverb describing the likelihood, rather than a full clause. For example, "The odds are slim", versus ""the odds that" he will win are slim".

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

"The odds that" and "the chances that" are largely interchangeable and have very similar meanings. "Odds" might imply a more quantitative or statistical assessment, while "chances" can be more general.