very improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that is highly unlikely to occur. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it seems very improbable that we will meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is all very improbable.

The New Yorker

"It is very improbable that someone could hide something".

The New York Times

"It is not impossible, but it is just very improbable".

The New York Times

This stage and this moment are very improbable for me".

The New Yorker

I think it's very improbable that he'll be successful".

The New Yorker

One letter, from 1928, offered Lawrence a very improbable job.

The Guardian

"It all seems very improbable, but there it was".

The New York Times - Style

His first sentence was: "This stage and this moment are very improbable for me".

The New Yorker

But how should we value the ability to avoid a catastrophic outcome that is very improbable?

MIT Technology Review

Yet Cromwell, even in the Elton-Mantel version, is a very improbable hero for our times.

The Guardian - Opinion

And then, as Kennedy sees it, a lot of very improbable things happened.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very improbable" to express a strong degree of unlikelihood, but acknowledge that it's not entirely impossible. This conveys nuance and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "very improbable" when the situation is genuinely impossible. Reserve it for scenarios where a slight, even if remote, possibility still exists, maintaining accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very improbable" functions as an adjectival modifier. It intensifies the adjective "improbable", indicating a significantly low likelihood of something occurring. As noted by Ludwig AI, this is a common construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

37%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very improbable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a significantly low chance of occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific domains, it serves to express a strong degree of skepticism regarding the likelihood of an event. While interchangeable with phrases like "highly unlikely" or "extremely doubtful", it's important to reserve its use for situations where a remote possibility still exists, avoiding overstatement. Remember that using "very improbable" indicates more than just unlikely, it's substantially unlikely!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly unlikely

Emphasizes the low probability of something occurring.

extremely doubtful

Highlights a strong sense of uncertainty and disbelief.

virtually impossible

Suggests that something is so unlikely it is almost not feasible.

unlikely scenario

Focuses on the implausibility of a particular sequence of events.

scarcely imaginable

Indicates something is difficult to conceive or envision.

slim chance

Indicates a minimal possibility of something happening.

barely possible

Implies that something might be possible, but with very little chance.

against all odds

Highlights that success would be contrary to what is expected.

remote possibility

Refers to a chance that exists but is very distant or unlikely.

not a chance

An informal way of saying that something is definitely not going to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "very improbable" in a sentence?

You can use "very improbable" to describe events or situations with a low chance of occurring. For example, "It is "very improbable" that he will win the lottery twice."

What are some alternatives to saying "very improbable"?

Alternatives include "highly unlikely", "extremely doubtful", or "virtually impossible", depending on the specific degree of unlikelihood you wish to convey.

Is it more correct to say "very improbable" or "highly improbable"?

Both "very improbable" and "highly improbable" are grammatically correct and widely accepted. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "improbable" and "very improbable"?

"Improbable" suggests something is unlikely, while "very improbable" indicates a much stronger degree of unlikelihood. Adding "very" intensifies the sense of something being unlikely to happen.