which is improbable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is improbable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, event, or outcome that is unlikely to happen or occur. Example: "The chances of winning the lottery are very low, which is improbable given the odds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Unless Ms Merkel steps forward, which is improbable, the only such person in the running is Mr Blair.And there are two other arguments for him.

The Economist

The resolution is less likely to hurt relations with the United States unless it is brought to the floor and passed by the full House, which is improbable, analysts say.

The New York Times

It presupposes openness on all sides, which is improbable given the record.

BBC

Or, as Maynard Smith and Szathmary (1995) stated, the conjunction of two or more events, each of which is improbable, is sufficient to make an evolutionary transition irreversible.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In particular, the prevalence of single-gain patterns implies an uncanny match between the pattern-inferred and sequence-inferred histories which is improbable under the HGT-saturated model.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The chancellor promised to deliver a grand solution, which was improbable from the start," said Reinhard Bütikofer, co-chairman of the opposition Green Party.

The New York Times

So which is more improbable, the Padres in the thick of the National League pennant race or Hoffman in the thick of the FedEx Cup race?

The New York Times - Sports

Inevitably, the NHS is going to require more resources, and unless the elderly are prepared to shoulder some of the financial cost themselves (which is highly improbable) only one of two things can happen: young people pay more tax or the quality of care will go down.

The Guardian - Business

Chance Reschke Seattle, Nov. 24, 2007 To the Editor: Which is more improbable — that the trillions of solar systems in the known universe exploded from something smaller than a pinhead or that there is an invisible, omniscient moral intelligence present everywhere that has the highest tolerance for cruelty?

The New York Times

Researchers calculate that a 50-pound child would have to eat 500 leaves to match the formula fed to the rats -- which is highly improbable due to the leaves' nasty taste.

Huffington Post

If parasitising Caryophyllaceae is plesiomorphic (which is highly improbable regarding the molecular phylogenies as well as the distribution of this trait), the monophyletic status of Microbotryum s.str.str

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is improbable" to introduce a clause that contradicts a prior statement or assumption, emphasizing its unlikelihood.

Common error

Avoid using "which is improbable" when "which is impossible" is more accurate. "Improbable" indicates a low probability, while "impossible" signifies a certainty that something cannot occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is improbable" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a preceding noun or clause by expressing its unlikelihood. As supported by Ludwig, it modifies and qualifies the statement, adding a degree of uncertainty or doubt.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which is improbable" functions as a relative clause used to express skepticism or low probability. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and suggests a neutral to formal register, often appearing in news and scientific contexts. While not exceedingly common, understanding its precise meaning and appropriate alternatives, such as "which is unlikely", can enhance writing clarity and precision. Remember to distinguish "improbable" from "impossible" to accurately convey the intended degree of likelihood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which is unlikely

Direct synonym, implying a low probability of occurrence.

that is doubtful

Expresses uncertainty and skepticism about a particular outcome.

that seems improbable

Introduces an element of perception or judgment regarding the likelihood.

that is questionable

Highlights uncertainty and potential doubt about a claim or situation.

which is far-fetched

Suggests an idea or scenario is unrealistic and hard to believe.

which is remote

Implies that the possibility exists but is very distant.

that is a long shot

An idiomatic expression indicating a low chance of success.

which is dubious

Expresses reservations or distrust regarding the certainty of something.

that is a pipe dream

Suggests an unrealistic wish or fantasy.

that is unrealistic

Indicates an idea that doesn't take into account the actual facts or circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "which is improbable" in a sentence?

Use "which is improbable" to introduce a clause that explains why something is unlikely to happen. For example, "The company will likely not meet its sales targets this quarter, "which is improbable" given the current market conditions".

What are some alternatives to saying "which is improbable"?

You can use alternatives like "which is unlikely", "that is doubtful", or "which is questionable" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "which is improbable" to express unlikelihood?

No, it is not always necessary. You can also express unlikelihood using simpler phrases like "unlikely", "doubtful", or rephrasing the sentence to directly state the low probability. For example, "It is improbable that they will succeed" can be rewritten as "They are unlikely to succeed".

What is the difference between "which is improbable" and "which is impossible"?

"Which is improbable" suggests something is unlikely but still possible, whereas "which is impossible" means something cannot occur under any circumstances. Use the phrase that best reflects the situation's certainty.