unlikely to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unlikely to do something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of someone or something performing a specific action. Example: "Given the current circumstances, she is unlikely to do the presentation next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"In that sense you would not want to do something really radical and you're unlikely to do something rapidly".

The New York Times

NASA and Congress are unlikely to do something that could be perceived as signing the death warrants of astronauts.

The New York Times

Robert Stheeman told Reuters this afternoon: Credit rating agencies are unlikely to do something purely because of the Autumn Statement in isolation, which may conceivably have been largely discounted in the market.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Blair has refused to answer but has strongly implied that Leo has been or will be inoculated, saying that he would be unlikely to tell other parents to do something that he was unwilling to do himself.

The New York Times

It seems unlikely that Elena Kagan would want to do something so harmful to what she calls a "wondrous institution".

The New York Times

The only way to surprise would be to do something so unlikely that it would probably end up being unlistenable – These New Puritans featuring Wayne Rooney, perhaps.

The Guardian - Music

The industry also has the statistical and analytical firepower that has enabled its fans to do something as unlikely as minimize the risks and maximize the profits of gambling on horse races.

The New York Times

If Tate had won the fifth, the result probably would have been a draw, and Holm would have kept her belt; to win the championship, Tate needed to do something extraordinary, which seemed unlikely.

The New Yorker

Ms Clark says Malta's warmer climate means it's unlikely to be something on the scale of her award-winning entries, but she could be tempted to do something for her return to Britain.

Independent

But it meant something to do something.

The New Yorker

"I had to do something".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlikely to do something", ensure that the context clearly indicates what factors contribute to the low probability. Providing context enhances clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "unlikely to do something" when certainty is known. This phrase indicates a probability assessment, not a definitive statement. Replace it with alternatives like "will not do something" or "cannot do something" when the outcome is certain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlikely to do something" functions as a qualifier, expressing a low probability or expectation for a particular action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase, providing nuance to statements about future events. Examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unlikely to do something" is a versatile phrase used to express doubt or low expectation regarding a future action. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, science, and general contexts. While alternatives exist, "unlikely to do something" remains a clear and effective choice for conveying uncertainty. Remember to provide sufficient context to enhance clarity and to differentiate it from statements of certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improbable to perform something

This alternative uses a more formal vocabulary, replacing "unlikely" with "improbable" and "do" with "perform".

not expected to carry out something

This option focuses on the lack of expectation, using "carry out" as a substitute for "do".

not anticipated to engage in something

This phrase introduces a sense of anticipation and replaces "do" with "engage in", suggesting a more active involvement.

remote chance of doing something

This alternative emphasizes the low probability with "remote chance", changing the structure to highlight the possibility.

hardly possible to undertake something

This option uses "hardly possible" to convey improbability and "undertake" instead of "do", adding a sense of commitment or effort.

doubtful to execute something

This suggests a sense of uncertainty, replacing "unlikely" with "doubtful" and "do" with "execute", which implies a more formal action.

slim possibility of achieving something

This phrase focuses on the minimal chance of success, using "slim possibility" and "achieving" to convey the difficulty.

questionable to accomplish something

This option expresses uncertainty or skepticism, using "questionable" instead of "unlikely" and "accomplish" to imply a completed task.

not prone to act in a certain way

This alternative focuses on predisposition, using "not prone" to suggest an inherent lack of inclination to "act in a certain way".

little inclination to perform something

This emphasizes the lack of motivation or desire, replacing "unlikely" with "little inclination" and "do" with "perform".

FAQs

How can I use "unlikely to do something" in a sentence?

You can use "unlikely to do something" to express doubt or skepticism about the probability of an action. For instance, "Given his lack of experience, he is unlikely to succeed".

What are some alternatives to "unlikely to do something"?

Alternatives include "not expected to", "improbable to perform", or "doubtful to execute", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "unlikely to do something" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "unlikely to do something" is grammatically correct and widely used. Its suitability depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey. Using "not likely to" is often considered a more direct and simple alternative.

What does "unlikely to do something" imply?

The phrase implies that there are reasons to believe that an action will probably not occur, but it does not completely rule out the possibility. It suggests a low probability based on available information or prevailing circumstances.