likelihood

likelihood — 名詞

1. the degree to which something is probable or can be expected to occur

1.名詞B2
釋義

可能性

事件發生的機會或概率

the degree to which something is probable or can be expected to occur

例句

The likelihood of rain increased as dark clouds gathered over the city.

隨著烏雲籠罩城市上空，下雨的可能性增加了。

likelihood of + noun for weather events

Hamza saw little likelihood that the committee would approve his funding request.

Hamza 認為委員會批准他的經費申請的可能性很小。

little likelihood + that-clause (negative)

同義詞
  • probability

    More precise in mathematical or statistical contexts; likelihood is broader and more general.

  • chance

    Less formal than likelihood; often used in everyday speech for uncertain outcomes.

  • odds

    Often implies a ratio or comparison between possible outcomes; common in betting or risk analysis.

  • prospect

    Suggests a positive future possibility; often implies hope or potential benefit.

反義詞
  • unlikelihood

    The opposite state — something being improbable or unlikely to happen.

文法句型

[determiner] + likelihood + of + [noun/gerund]

[determiner] + likelihood + that + [clause]

there is + [adjective] + likelihood + of/that

用法筆記

This sense is rarely used without a determiner — phrases like 'a likelihood', 'the likelihood', or 'little likelihood' are standard. The word is uncountable in form but takes a singular determiner in most constructions.

常見錯誤

❌There is likelihood of snow tomorrow.
✅There is a likelihood of snow tomorrow.
💡Likelihood normally needs a determiner (a, the, little, etc.) before it when used as a singular noun.
❌The likelihood to succeed is low.
✅The likelihood of success is low.
💡Use 'of' + noun/gerund after likelihood, not a to-infinitive.

2. used to suggest that something is very probable, especially when the outcome is

2.名詞C1
釋義

極有可能

用於表達某事非常可能發生

used to suggest that something is very probable, especially when the outcome is not yet certain

例句

In all likelihood, the airline will cancel the morning flight due to the storm warnings.

由於暴風警報，航空公司極有可能會取消早上的航班。

fixed adverbial phrase: in all likelihood

The hospital will, in all likelihood, stay closed for emergencies until the power returns.

這家醫院在電力恢復之前，極有可能會暫停收治急診病患。

同義詞
  • very probably

    Similar level of certainty but more informal; 'in all likelihood' carries a more considered, analytical tone.

  • almost certainly

    Equivalent in meaning; 'almost certainly' is slightly more direct and common in speech.

  • as likely as not

    Less precise — suggests roughly equal chance, whereas 'in all likelihood' implies a strong probability.

文法句型

In all likelihood, + [clause]

[clause] + , in all likelihood, + [rest of clause]

用法筆記

Only used in the fixed phrase 'in all likelihood', which can appear at the start of a sentence or inserted between commas. It cannot be shortened to 'in likelihood' or changed to 'in great likelihood'.

常見錯誤

❌In likelihood, the train will be late.
✅In all likelihood, the train will be late.
💡The fixed phrase requires 'all' before 'likelihood'.
❌In all likelihoods, they will agree.
✅In all likelihood, they will agree.
💡Likelihood remains singular in this phrase even when referring to multiple possible outcomes.