Meaning & use
likelihood of success
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
the probability that an action, plan, or attempt will achieve the result you want
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase. It often follows verbs like assess, improve, or reduce, and is common after 'the' or 'its'.
Patterns
- the likelihood of success
- improve the likelihood of success
- assess the likelihood of success
- reduce the likelihood of success
Before investing, the team assessed the likelihood of success of the new product.
Good preparation greatly increases the likelihood of success.
The likelihood of success seemed low without more funding.
Common combinations
- assess the likelihood of success
- The committee met to assess the likelihood of success before approving the plan.
- increase the likelihood of success
- Practicing every day will increase the likelihood of success in the exam.
- reduce the likelihood of success
- A lack of clear goals can reduce the likelihood of success.
- the likelihood of success is high
- After the trial results, the likelihood of success is high.
- the likelihood of success is low
- Without more data, the likelihood of success is low.
Synonyms and how they differ
- chance of success
- More common and slightly less formal; it can be used in the same way but often sounds more conversational.
- probability of success
- More technical and mathematical; it suggests a calculated or statistical estimate.
- prospect of success
- Focuses on the future possibility rather than a measured probability, and often implies hope.
Opposites
Word family
- likely adjective
- probable; expected to happen
- likelihood noun
- the chance that something will happen
- success noun
- the achieving of a desired aim
- successful adjective
- achieving what was intended
Practice
The new safety measures should reduce the ______ of success for thieves trying to break in.
Choose one answer.
The phrase needs a noun after 'the', so 'likelihood' is correct. 'Likely' is an adjective, 'likelihoods' is not used in this fixed phrase, and 'likeliness' is not a standard word in this context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “likelihood of success”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.