unlikely that

USAGE SUMMARY

"unlikely that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something is not probable or expected. For example: "It is unlikely that the weather will stay sunny for the rest of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seems unlikely that will happen.

The New York Times

But it is unlikely that will happen.

The Guardian - Business

"It's unlikely that will stop.

TechCrunch

But everyone knows how unlikely that is.

TechCrunch

Highly unlikely; that would require changing recruitment practices altogether.

TechCrunch

"It is unlikely that L.T.E.

The New York Times - Tech

It's unlikely that he will remarry.

The New Yorker

It seemed unlikely that prosecutions would follow.

The Economist

But it's unlikely that it's that bad.

Harvard University

It's bloody unlikely that he'll have to.

The Washington Post

It is unlikely that he ever will.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlikely that", ensure the sentence clearly expresses the reason for the improbability. Providing context strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "unlikely that" when the event is clearly impossible. Reserve it for situations where there's a small, albeit improbable, chance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlikely that" functions as a modal qualifier, indicating the speaker's assessment of the probability of a particular event or situation. It introduces a degree of uncertainty and suggests a low expectation of occurrence. Ludwig showcases numerous examples of its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unlikely that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey improbability or doubt. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and the plentiful examples available in Ludwig highlight its versatility across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in expressing the reasons behind the low probability. While similar phrases exist, each carries slightly different connotations that should be considered for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improbable that

Replaces "unlikely" with its direct synonym "improbable", maintaining the same grammatical structure and meaning.

doubtful that

Substitutes "unlikely" with "doubtful", suggesting a stronger sense of uncertainty or disbelief.

it is not expected that

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the lack of expectation, changing the structure slightly.

there's little chance that

Indicates a small possibility of something happening, using a more descriptive expression.

it's a long shot that

Emphasizes the low probability of success or occurrence, using an idiomatic expression.

it's questionable whether

Shifts the focus to questioning the certainty of an event, rather than its likelihood.

it's far from certain that

Highlights the lack of certainty, suggesting that the event is not assured.

slim chance that

A more figurative replacement, employing a descriptive modifier for the possibility.

remote possibility that

Stresses how small and distant the chance of an event is.

don't bet on it

Transforms the expression into an informal warning against expecting something to happen.

FAQs

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

Use "unlikely that" to express a low probability of something occurring. For instance, "It's "unlikely that" it will rain today" suggests rain is not expected.

What are some alternatives to saying "unlikely that"?

You can use phrases like "doubtful that", "improbable that", or "there is little chance that" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use "unlikely that"?

Yes, "unlikely that" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express improbability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What's the difference between "unlikely that" and "impossible that"?

"Unlikely that" suggests a low probability, while "impossible that" indicates something cannot happen under any circumstances. The former allows for a small chance, whereas the latter does not.