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Talk about improbability

Talking about improbability

We don't know what will happen in the future. But sometimes there are things that we don't think will happen (e.g. England winning the World Cup). We use these ten phrases.

    

  1. I don't expect they'll win.
    2. 

  2. It's (quite) unlikely they'll win.
    3. 

  3. They are not very likely to win.
    4. 

  4. I shouldn't think they'll win.
    5. 

  5. There's not much hope / chance.
    6. 

  6. I'd be (very) surprised if they won.
    7. 

  7. I wouldn't bet on them winning.
    8. 

  8. There's no chance of them winning.
    9. 

  9. There's little likelihood of them winning..
    10. 

  10. It'll never happen in a month of Sundays.
    11.

Explanations

  • Phrases 1, 2 and 3 are quite improbable but not impossible.
  • Phrases 4 and 5 are a bit stronger. The chance of them winning is a bit less.
  • Phrases 6 and 7 are more like an opinion and less of a statement of fact.
  • Phrase 8 is saying that it is impossible for the team to win.
  • Phrase 9 says that there is a very small chance. This phrase is more formal than the others.
  • Phrase 10 is more idiomatic/informal. It says that it is almost impossible for them to win.
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