there is a probability

USAGE SUMMARY

'there is a probability' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that there is a chance that something might happen, for example: "There is a probability that the stock market will crash this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In classical thermodynamics this law is quite strict; but in Maxwell's kinetic theory of heat there is a probability, though extremely small, of such an event happening.

SEP

In the entropic model there is a probability of a downward drift in the evolutionary entropy, S, of the dominant strain.

Plosone

In Case B, there is a probability of each chromosome (cell) dividing.

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

This turns out to be 0.080, that is there is a probability of 8% that the true response proportion exceeds 0.4 or 40%.

British Journal of Cancer

"Clearly there is a probability of reaching a resolution".

The New York Times - Sports

"There is a probability of an attack in Europe in the coming months," he said.

The New York Times

Retaliatory attacks are also possible, and there is a probability for collateral damage impacting civilians and foreigners inside the country".

The New Yorker

"In quantum mechanics, there is a probability that this pen will fall through the table," he said.

The New Yorker

"There is a probability that parts of that cockpit could be salvageable and provide investigators with useful information," Mr. Feith said.

The New York Times

If a subject is unable to endure the experiment, or if a researcher believes there is a probability of injury, the test must end.

The New Yorker

A regional police commander, Chief Superintendent Raul Gonzales, told The Associated Press, "There is a probability that there was foul play".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there is a probability", quantify the probability whenever possible by adding a percentage or a descriptive term (e.g., "high probability", "low probability") to provide more context.

Common error

In casual conversation, consider using more direct and less formal alternatives to "there is a probability", such as "there's a chance" or "it's likely", to avoid sounding overly stiff or academic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is a probability" functions as an existential clause introducing a statement about the likelihood of a certain event or condition. It asserts the existence of a probability, making it a key component in expressing uncertainty or chance. As Ludwig AI confirmed, this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there is a probability" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express the likelihood of an event or condition. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse audiences. While highly prevalent, remember to quantify the probability whenever possible to enhance clarity, and consider using less formal alternatives in casual settings. Its frequent use in authoritative sources confirms its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is a chance

Emphasizes a possibility, often suggesting a less formal context than probability.

there is a likelihood

Indicates a higher degree of possibility or expectation.

it is probable that

A more formal way to express the same concept, often used in academic or legal settings.

it is possible that

Indicates something could happen or be true, without specifying how likely it is.

a possibility exists

Highlights the mere existence of a potential outcome.

there is a prospect

Suggests an anticipation or expectation of something happening, often in the future.

it is conceivable that

Implies that something is imaginable or believable, although it may not be very likely.

a risk exists

Focuses on the negative potential outcome and its associated probability.

the odds are

A more colloquial way of discussing probabilities, often used in gambling or sports contexts.

there's a good bet

Informal, suggesting a reasonably high probability of something occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "there is a probability" in a sentence?

You can use "there is a probability" to indicate that something might happen or be true. For example, "There is a probability that the game will be canceled due to rain".

What's the difference between "there is a probability" and "there is a possibility"?

While both phrases indicate something might occur, "there is a probability" often suggests a more quantifiable or calculable likelihood, while "there is a possibility" simply acknowledges that something could happen without specifying how likely it is.

What can I say instead of "there is a probability"?

You can use alternatives like "there is a chance", "it is likely", or "it is possible" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "there is a probability"?

Yes, "there is a probability" is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal writing and speech. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.