less likely vs less likely than

Both 'less likely' and 'less likely than' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Less likely' is used when comparing two things directly, while 'less likely than' is used when comparing the likelihood of one thing to another. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: April 09, 2024 • 380 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"less likely"

This phrase is used to indicate that something is not as probable as another thing. It is used when comparing two things directly.

Examples:

She is less likely to go to the party than he is.
It is less likely to rain tomorrow than it is today.

Show examples from the web [+]

They'll no doubt take defensive measures, which makes the attack substantially less likely to succeed.
I don't think you could find a less likely benefactor ofterrorism.
Whoever's watching is less likely to recognize Stahl than one of us.
Children are less likely than adults to clear the infection.
Short term complications are twenty times less likely from a vasectomy than a tubal ligation.
Changes in the separation fence/wall are less likely than ever.
You're less likely to throw up that way.
And they're easier to intimidate, less likely to talk.
I thought they would be less likely to return.
But the doctor said it's far less likely.
Much less likely to wander away.
But it was becoming less and less likely that I would find him.
The more optimistic you were, the less likely this region was to respond to unexpected negative information.
A dry patient is less likely to die of hypothermia or shock.
These transient and diverse populations thrust into a relatively anarchic environment were less likely to conform to social conventions.
Consequently, they are less likely to be associated with visible bipolar outflows.
Rust is less likely to form below an ambient temperature of 18ºC.
Curtains made of electrostatic flocking (blackout fabrics), less likely to dirty without frequent cleaning.
CHI Lava Volcanic Ceramic Straightener ensures that the hair is less likely to be damaged.
Samples are much less likely to be stolen, copied, or distributed illegally.

Alternatives:

more likely
unlikely
not as likely
less probable

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"less likely than"

This phrase is used to compare the likelihood of one thing to another. It is used when the comparison involves more than two elements or when the comparison is not direct.

Examples:

She is less likely to go to the party than to stay home.
It is less likely for him to win the game than for her to lose.

Show examples from the web [+]

In conclusion, nuclear war is less likely than before, but by no means out of the question, and it's not survivable.
Not impossible, of course, but certainly less likely than that Nipper was sitting there listening to an early home recording.
Furthermore, the novel's geography and topicality make a Bombay composition less likely than a Fleet Prison one.
Consider this Hunch survey that Buzzfeed points out, which suggests that though Android users are in no socioeconomic way "poor," they may be less likely than
Youth from southern countries were less likely than others to be able to attend.
As a character tenor, Nessi was less likely than many other singers to be cast in a lead role.
The only thing less likely than your helping the CIA is your helping some rich guy in Long Island.
A higher level of confidence in detection of duck and goose positive holdings is applied due to the evidence that infected duck and goose holdings are less likely than gallinaceous poultry to be detected by passive surveillance or early detection systems.
And less likely than you taking a bullet.
Children are less likely than adults to clear the infection.
Members of the tech community are less likely than the general public to use MS Windows.
Increased competition makes it less likely than before that a business enterprise will succeed.
Changes in the separation fence/wall are less likely than ever.
Researchers found that on Google, women are less likely than men to be shown job ads for high-paying jobs.
This means that it is less likely than getting 2 main balls and one lucky star (1 in 49).
Studies have shown that men are less likely than women to consult a doctor when a problem occurs.
It is now recognized that our retirement system discriminates against women and racial minorities who are less likely than white males to have remained in a job for the required period.
Increased competition, in turn, makes it less likely than before that a business enterprise will succeed.
Economic, social and cultural rights are less likely than civil and political rights to be protected in national constitutions.
Young people are much less likely than middle-age people (risk ratio 0.1, or 10 percent) to have a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Alternatives:

less probable than
less inclined than
less prone than
less predisposed than

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less likely vs less likely than

"less likely"

"less likely than"

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