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.
Ten ways to say something probably won't happen
casual · neutral · formal
- I don't expect they'll win.neutralThey lost their best player. I don't expect they'll win.
- It's (quite) unlikely they'll win.neutralIt's quite unlikely they'll win the final.
- They are not very likely to win.neutralThey are not very likely to win against India.
- I shouldn't think they'll win.neutralI shouldn't think they'll win in this rain.
- There's not much hope / chance.neutralTwenty runs off one over? There's not much hope.
- I'd be (very) surprised if they won.neutralI'd be very surprised if they won.
- I wouldn't bet on them winning.casualI wouldn't bet on them winning this year.
- There's no chance of them winning.neutralstrongTen wickets down? There's no chance of them winning.
- There's little likelihood of them winning.formalThere's little likelihood of them winning the case.
- It'll never happen in a month of Sundays.casualMy brother cleaning his room? It'll never happen in a month of Sundays.
How to use them
- are quite improbable but not impossible.
- are a bit stronger. The chance of them winning is a bit less.
- are more like an opinion and less of a statement of fact.
- is saying that it is impossible for the team to win.
- says that there is a very small chance. This phrase is more formal than the others.
- is more idiomatic/informal. It says that it is almost impossible for them to win.
Quick check
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Which phrase is formal?
"Not in a month of Sundays" means:
Complete: I'd be surprised if they _.
See also: Speculating · "That won't happen"
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