which is unlikely

USAGE SUMMARY

"which is unlikely" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate something that is not probable or expected to happen. For example, "The most popular candidate is expected to win the election, which is unlikely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Is she prepared to travel her (which is unlikely), her or her deputies.

Vice

They can give up, which is unlikely.

The New York Times

Which is unlikely.

The Guardian - Books

Which is unlikely to happen.

The Guardian - Music

Nine Democrats voted for the bill, which is unlikely go anywhere in the Senate.

The New York Times

All of which looks a messy prospect, which is unlikely to be resolved for many years.

The Guardian - Business

Which is unlikely, even if he has spent £250m without having much to show for it.

The Guardian - Sport

Cite "natural growth" needs if pressed by allies, which is unlikely to happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

If Oregon State wins, it goes only if Washington loses to Washington State, which is unlikely.

The New York Times - Sports

"Another Mumbai [attack] – which is unlikely but not impossible – would create serious pressure," he says.

The Guardian

Unless the decision is reversed, which is unlikely, France is going to South Africa.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which is unlikely", ensure the 'which' clearly refers to the preceding clause or idea to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which is unlikely" if the 'which' doesn't have a clear antecedent. This can lead to confusion and make your writing less precise. For instance, instead of saying 'The project is behind schedule, which is unlikely', clarify what's unlikely, e.g. 'The project is behind schedule, which is unlikely to recover in time'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is unlikely" functions as a nonrestrictive (or nonessential) relative clause, providing additional, non-critical information about the preceding clause. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. It modifies the previous statement by expressing a degree of doubt or low probability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which is unlikely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause that adds a touch of skepticism or low expectation to a preceding statement. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to temper expectations, and it finds common usage in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile enough for various scenarios, writers should ensure the 'which' has a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "that's improbable" or "it's doubtful" can be used to similar effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's improbable

Focuses on the low probability of something occurring, similar to "which is unlikely".

that's doubtful

Highlights a sense of doubt or skepticism about a particular outcome.

it's hardly probable

Emphasizes the lack of probability, suggesting a low chance of happening.

it's a long shot

Implies a low chance of success or occurrence, often used in situations with significant obstacles.

the odds are against it

Indicates that circumstances or factors are unfavorable, making the event less likely.

it's not expected

Stresses the lack of anticipation or expectation for a specific event.

it's against all odds

Similar to long shot but is often used to emphasize the difficulty in achieving this goal.

that's not very promising

Highlights the unpromising nature of something happening.

it's a remote possibility

Indicates a slight but distant chance of something occurring.

chances are slim

Is an idiom that emphasizes the low chance of something occurring.

FAQs

How do I use "which is unlikely" in a sentence?

Use "which is unlikely" to add a note of improbability to a preceding statement. For instance, "They promised to deliver on time, "which is unlikely", given their track record."

What are some alternatives to "which is unlikely"?

You can use alternatives like "that's improbable", "that's doubtful", or "it's a long shot" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that is unlikely" instead of "which is unlikely"?

Yes, "that is unlikely" can often be used interchangeably with "which is unlikely", but "which" typically refers to a clause or idea, while "that" can refer to a specific noun or event. The best choice depends on the specific sentence structure.

What's the difference between "which is unlikely" and "which is impossible"?

"Which is unlikely" suggests something is improbable but still possible, while "which is impossible" indicates something cannot happen under any circumstances. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to express.