this seems unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this seems unlikely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about a situation or statement. Example: "Given the evidence presented, this seems unlikely to be the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This seems unlikely.

The New York Times

But this seems unlikely.

The Economist

This seems unlikely to happen.

The Economist

In practice, this seems unlikely.

The Economist

This seems unlikely to change.

The Economist

This seems unlikely to improve.

The Economist

Yet this seems unlikely.

The Guardian - Books

This seems unlikely to help the relationship.

The New Yorker

(This seems unlikely to stop the bullying).

The New York Times - Arts

On closer inspection, this seems unlikely.

The Economist

On both counts, this seems unlikely.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this seems unlikely" to introduce a counterargument or express a reasoned doubt, rather than dismissing an idea outright. This approach maintains a respectful and objective tone.

Common error

Avoid stacking qualifiers (e.g., "this seems very unlikely"). Instead, consider stronger, more direct alternatives if the situation warrants it, or rephrase to convey the intended degree of uncertainty more concisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this seems unlikely" functions as a disclaimer or a hedge, expressing doubt or skepticism about a statement, situation, or prediction. It indicates a lack of confidence in the probability of something occurring or being true. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this seems unlikely" is a versatile and commonly used expression for conveying doubt or skepticism. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While effective, writers should avoid overusing qualifiers and consider stronger alternatives when appropriate. Related phrases, such as "this appears improbable" or "it is improbable", offer subtle variations in tone and formality. When using "this seems unlikely", remember to introduce counterarguments with respect and provide a clear rationale for your skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this appears improbable

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "unlikely" with "improbable", offering a slightly more formal tone.

this appears doubtful

Substitutes "seems" with "appears" and "unlikely" with "doubtful", emphasizing uncertainty.

this is hardly likely

Emphasizes the improbability with the adverb "hardly".

this is not very probable

Rephrases the idea with a focus on the low probability of the event.

it is improbable that this will occur

Replaces "seems" with "is" and "unlikely" with "improbable", creating a more formal and assertive statement.

this is probably not the case

Offers a more explicit and direct expression of disbelief, moving away from the conditional "seems".

it's doubtful that this will happen

Shifts the focus to the likelihood of a future event, expressing skepticism about its occurrence.

i doubt that this is true

Introduces a personal perspective, expressing the speaker's doubt about the veracity of something.

there's little chance of this

Focuses on the minimal possibility of an event, using a more concise phrasing.

the chances of this are slim

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the low probability of something.

FAQs

What does "this seems unlikely" mean?

The phrase "this seems unlikely" expresses doubt or skepticism about a situation, statement, or prediction. It suggests that something is improbable or not expected to happen.

What can I say instead of "this seems unlikely"?

You can use alternatives like "this appears improbable", "it is improbable", or "this is probably not the case", depending on the context.

How can I use "this seems unlikely" in a sentence?

Use "this seems unlikely" to express a reasoned doubt or disagreement. For example, "Given the lack of evidence, this seems unlikely to be true."

Which is correct, "this seems unlikely" or "this is unlikely"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "this seems unlikely" conveys a slightly softer or more tentative tone compared to the more assertive "this is unlikely".