vastly more likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vastly more likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant difference in probability between two or more outcomes or events. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it is vastly more likely that the defendant was at the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Women, however, were vastly more likely to do so.

The New York Times

And they are vastly more likely to succeed than people born without talent and raised in unsupportive environments.

The New York Times

This is all vastly more likely to succeed if the legal guardian of the remains is willing to help.

The New York Times - Magazine

They've ignored statistical realities to hype anecdotal – and extremely rare – events that invite us to worry about vanishingly tiny risks and while shrugging off vastly more likely ones.

The Guardian - Opinion

The European union of 2016 is vastly different from the EEC, vastly more likely to engineer change or frustrate the kind of changes that many UK voters yearn for; dominant in ways that people find menacing.

The Guardian

You can easily see why people would worry about Ebola, terrorism and air crashes but not diabetes, lack of exercise and junk food, even though the latter three are vastly more likely to kill them".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Swiss-Prot contains vastly more potential matches than the PDB90, likely biasing this comparison in favor of BLAST.

Plosone

But the American system is vastly more expensive and much more likely to throw up false positives.

Los Angeles Times

A brief and uneven step in the right direction is vastly superior to the more likely alternative no steps at all.

The Economist

Air pollution is likely to cause vastly more deaths as Indians grow older and more obese.

The Economist

By contrast, consider how Stand Your Ground proponents regard the vastly more common kind of violence that women are likely to face: violence from intimate partners.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vastly more likely" to emphasize a very significant difference in probability between two outcomes. For a more subtle difference, consider alternatives like "slightly more likely".

Common error

Avoid using "vastly more likely" in situations where the difference in probability is not substantial. Overusing such strong language can weaken your overall argument and reduce credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vastly more likely" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to emphasize a significant difference in probability or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vastly more likely" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a considerable difference in probability. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across various domains. While versatile, it's crucial to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where the probability difference is genuinely significant. Consider related alternatives like "significantly more likely" or "much more likely" if a lesser degree of emphasis is needed. The primary contexts include news media and scientific writing, but it can also be incorporated in formal business communication. Remember to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing. As seen in the analyzed examples, the phrase is effective in emphasizing probability, but always ensure it aligns with the actual context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly more likely

Emphasizes a notable increase in likelihood.

substantially more likely

Indicates a large degree of difference in probability.

considerably more likely

Highlights a substantial difference in probability.

much more likely

A simpler and more direct way of expressing increased likelihood.

far more probable

Uses "probable" instead of "likely", implying a stronger degree of certainty.

markedly more likely

Implies a clear and distinct increase in likelihood.

distinctly more likely

Indicates a noticeable and separate increase in the chances of something.

appreciably more likely

Suggests the increase in likelihood is easily noticeable or measurable.

measurably more likely

Highlights that the increased likelihood can be quantified or assessed.

noticeably more likely

Indicates the increase in probability is easily observed.

FAQs

What does "vastly more likely" mean?

The phrase "vastly more likely" indicates that something is significantly more probable than another option, implying a substantial difference in likelihood.

How can I use "vastly more likely" in a sentence?

You can use "vastly more likely" to compare the probability of two different events or outcomes. For example, "It is "vastly more likely" that a person will get the flu during winter than during summer."

Are there alternatives to "vastly more likely"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "significantly more likely", "considerably more likely", or "much more likely" depending on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "vastly more likely" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "vastly more likely" might be seen as less formal than other options like "substantially more likely" or "significantly more likely" in some academic or professional contexts.