improbability

/ɪmˌprɒbəˈbɪləti/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˌprɑːbəˈbɪləti/ (ame, ipa) · /(¦)im əm+/ (ame, mw)

improbability — 名詞

  • improbabilitysingular
  • improbabilitiesplural

1. the quality or state of being very unlikely to happen, exist, or be true; a situ

1.名詞B2
釋義

不可能

極不可能發生或為真的情況

the quality or state of being very unlikely to happen, exist, or be true; a situation, event, or statement that is extremely unexpected or hard to believe.

例句

Despite the improbability of finding the keys in such a large park, Suki kept searching until sunset.

儘管在這麼大的公園裡找到鑰匙的可能性很低，Suki 還是繼續搜尋到日落。

improbability of + gerund phrase

The whole story was full of improbabilities, starting with a wolf that could speak seven languages.

整個故事充滿了不可能的情節，從一匹會說七種語言的狼開始。

countable use: improbabilities (plural)

同義詞
  • unlikelihood

    almost identical meaning; 'unlikelihood' is slightly more common in everyday speech, while 'improbability' carries a slightly more formal or mathematical tone.

  • implausibility

    focuses on something being hard to believe or lacking credibility, rather than just being unlikely to happen.

  • doubtfulness

    less common; emphasises uncertainty rather than pure unlikeliness.

  • remoteness

    used specifically for a very small chance (a 'remote possibility'); more technical.

反義詞
  • probability

    the direct opposite — how likely something is to happen or be true.

  • likelihood

    the chance that something will happen; less formal than 'probability'.

  • certainty

    something that is sure to happen; a much stronger opposite.

文法句型

improbability of [something]

improbability that [clause]

用法筆記

When used as an uncountable noun, improbability refers to a general quality ('the improbability of the event'). As a countable noun (improbabilities), it refers to specific unlikely events or details within a story or situation.

常見錯誤

❌There is a high improbability that it will rain' (sounds unnatural with 'high').
✅There is a strong chance it will not rain' or 'Rain is highly unlikely.
💡'improbability' is not typically used with 'high/low' the way 'probability' is; use 'unlikely' or 'remote chance' instead.
❌This idea is an improbability' (when describing a simple unlikely thing).
✅This idea is highly unlikely' or 'This is an improbable idea.
💡'improbability' as a countable noun works best for complex or surprising scenarios, not everyday unlikely events.