unlikely event

USAGE SUMMARY

"unlikely event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a low probability of occurring. For example, "The chance of winning the lottery is an unlikely event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In that unlikely event, go here johnpilger.com.

The Guardian

But an unlikely event was spooling out.

The New York Times - Sports

In the Unlikely Event is published by Picador (£7.99).

The Guardian - Books

In the Unlikely Event is published by Picador (£16.99).

The Guardian - Books

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume (Picador).

The Guardian - Books

The wickets made an England victory here an unlikely event.

Independent

Nonetheless, she wrote, "we continue to view it as an unlikely event in the short term".

The New York Times

Britain would back such a tax in the unlikely event it applied globally.

The Guardian - Business

In that highly unlikely event, the report would be the second confessional exercise of the race.

The New York Times

Mrs Green, in the unlikely event you're reading this – thank you.

The Guardian - Books

(In unlikely event mixture is too sticky, add flour, a tablespoon at a time).

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, provide context by explaining why the event is considered unlikely. This could involve citing statistics or outlining the factors that make it improbable.

Common error

Avoid using "unlikely event" when the outcome is truly impossible. "Unlikely" suggests a small chance exists, whereas "impossible event" denotes no chance at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlikely event" functions as a noun phrase, where 'unlikely' modifies 'event'. It indicates a situation or occurrence that has a low probability of happening. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unlikely event" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations with a low probability of occurrence. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as suitable for use in writing, confirming its proper structure and meaning. As evidenced by the examples, it frequently appears in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using "unlikely event", consider the subtle differences between it and alternatives like "improbable occurrence" and "remote possibility" to ensure accurate communication. Avoid using it when describing truly impossible scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improbable occurrence

Replaces 'event' with 'occurrence', emphasizing the happening itself is improbable.

remote possibility

Focuses on the slight chance of something happening, rather than the event itself.

slim chance

Indicates a minimal likelihood of something occurring.

outside chance

Suggests a possibility exists, but is not very probable.

rare instance

Highlights the infrequency of the event.

exceptional case

Emphasizes that the event is an exception to the norm.

unexpected development

Shifts focus to the surprise element of the event.

unforeseen circumstance

Highlights the unpredictable nature of the situation.

improbable scenario

Replaces 'event' with 'scenario', framing it as a hypothetical situation.

chance in a million

Emphasizes how low the probability is, with an extreme number.

FAQs

How can I use "unlikely event" in a sentence?

You can use "unlikely event" to describe a situation that is not expected to happen. For example, "In the "unlikely event" of rain, the picnic will be moved indoors."

What are some alternatives to "unlikely event"?

Alternatives to "unlikely event" include "improbable occurrence", "remote possibility", or "slim chance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unlikely event" or "impossible event"?

"Unlikely event" implies a low probability, whereas "impossible event" suggests zero probability. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation's possibility.

What's the difference between "unlikely event" and "unexpected event"?

"Unlikely event" focuses on the low probability of something happening, while "unexpected event" emphasizes the surprise element. An "unexpected event" might be something that was not anticipated, regardless of its probability.