unlikely outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unlikely outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a result or event that is not expected to happen or has a low probability of occurring. Example: "While we prepared for various scenarios, we never anticipated the unlikely outcome of a complete system failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On paper, that's an unlikely outcome.

The New York Times

Yet that seems an unlikely outcome.

The Economist

This is a highly unlikely outcome.

The New York Times

War seemed such an unlikely outcome for him.

The Guardian - Books

This appears to be an unlikely outcome at this point.

The New Yorker

Her stardom is an unlikely outcome, considering where she started.

The New Yorker

Most Asia experts regard that as an unlikely outcome.

The New Yorker

But the strength and endurance of the protest movement has made this unlikely outcome a possibility.

University of California, Berkeley

But that seemed an unlikely outcome, especially while Mr. Sankoh's forces controlled United Nations troops.

The New York Times

But he, Wasserman, and others who looked at the matter believed this was an unlikely outcome.

The New Yorker

Despite Shutthefrontdoor's position at the head of the market, victory for McCoy remains an unlikely outcome.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlikely outcome", clearly state the factors that contribute to its improbability to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "unlikely outcome" when the event is impossible. "Unlikely" indicates a low chance, not a zero chance. If something is impossible, use stronger terms like "impossible outcome" or "no chance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlikely outcome" functions as a noun phrase, where "unlikely" modifies the noun "outcome". It indicates that a particular result or event is improbable. Ludwig's examples show that it is used to express doubt or skepticism about a potential result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unlikely outcome" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a result or event that is not expected to happen or has a low probability of occurring. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase and showcases its frequent use in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. Alternative phrases such as "improbable result" or "remote possibility" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by stating the factors contributing to the improbability, and avoid using it when the event is impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improbable result

Replaces "outcome" with "result" and "unlikely" with "improbable", maintaining a similar degree of improbability.

unexpected result

Substitutes "unlikely" with "unexpected", emphasizing the surprise element rather than the low probability.

remote possibility

Replaces the outcome with possibility and uses remote to suggest a low chance of happening.

slim chance

Conveys a similar meaning of low probability using different wording.

doubtful prospect

Suggests that the outcome is not likely to happen, emphasizing skepticism.

implausible scenario

Emphasizes the lack of believability of the described situation.

outside chance

Indicates a minimal possibility of success or occurrence.

rare occurrence

Highlights the infrequency of the event happening.

unforeseen development

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the unfolding event.

unanticipated consequence

Emphasizes that the result was not predicted or expected.

FAQs

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

You can use "unlikely outcome" to describe a situation where a particular result is not expected. For example, "Despite the team's efforts, a victory remained an "unlikely outcome"".

What's a more formal way to say "unlikely outcome"?

In a formal context, you could use "improbable result" or "remote possibility" as alternatives to "unlikely outcome".

Is it correct to say "highly unlikely outcome"?

Yes, "highly unlikely outcome" is grammatically correct and emphasizes the low probability of the event occurring.

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

"Unlikely outcome" refers to the low probability of an event, while "unexpected outcome" refers to an event that was not anticipated, regardless of its probability. While related, /s/unexpected+outcome focuses on surprise, and /s/unlikely+outcome focuses on probability.