I would likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I would likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or probability regarding a future action or event. Example: "If the weather is nice tomorrow, I would likely go for a hike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I mused before attending that as a lifelong democrat, I would likely feel like a fish out of water in Minneapolis-St.

Huffington Post

When it comes to sending people birthday and Christmas gifts, I would likely win the award for: "Worst.

The New York Times

If there were a post-apocalyptic gastronomic free-for-all, my mother and I would likely show up to feed.

The New Yorker

"I would likely describe him as a moderate who is instinctively comfortable with a variety of progressive positions.

The New York Times

Indeed, I could contemplate traveling the entire month of Ramadan, but I would likely not have a job waiting for me when I came back.

The New York Times

Plus, the New York Road Runners would start opening the course to cars at a 15-minute-mile pace, 20 seconds faster than I would likely post.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I just want to get a feel for what I'd likely find.

The New York Times - Travel

I'd likely that about as much as them daubers flying me out of here".

The New Yorker

Other than that, he said, I'd likely feel normal for the first day or two.

The New Yorker

I still can't run, but had I heeded his advice, I'd likely be back to doing marathons.

The New Yorker

If I did, you're right, I'd likely be pressing it with the fury of a 1,000 spartans.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I would likely" to express a reasonable expectation or prediction about your own actions or beliefs. For stronger certainty, consider "I will likely" or "I definitely will."

Common error

While acceptable, "I would likely" can sometimes sound less assertive in professional or academic contexts. Replace with stronger verbs like "expect", "anticipate", or "predict" to convey confidence and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I would likely" functions as a modal expression indicating probability or a reasonable expectation. It softens a statement, suggesting something is likely to happen but not guaranteed. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I would likely" is a versatile expression used to convey a reasonable expectation or probability. As supported by Ludwig, it finds frequent application across a spectrum of contexts, particularly within news media. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, "I would likely" expresses a reasonable expectation; it’s important to be mindful of the specific context. For scenarios demanding greater assertiveness, alternatives such as "I will likely" or "I definitely will" may be more apt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I would probably

Replaces "likely" with "probably", indicating a slightly higher degree of certainty.

I would potentially

Substitutes "likely" with "potentially", suggesting a possibility that depends on certain conditions.

I am inclined to

Expresses a leaning or preference towards a particular action.

I am apt to

Suggests a natural tendency or likelihood.

I am liable to

Indicates a possibility, often with a negative connotation.

It is probable that I would

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the probability aspect.

I anticipate that I will

Focuses on expecting a future event or action.

I expect I would

Expresses an expectation or belief about a future action.

I foresee that I will

Implies predicting a future event or action based on current knowledge.

I can imagine myself

Emphasizes the ability to envision oneself performing the action.

FAQs

How can I use "I would likely" in a sentence?

Use "I would likely" to express a probable future action or state. For example, "If it rains, "I would likely" stay home."

What are some alternatives to "I would likely"?

Alternatives include "I would probably", "I would potentially", or "I am inclined to", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I will likely" instead of "I would likely"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I will likely" expresses a stronger degree of certainty than ""I would likely"". Choose the phrasing that best reflects your confidence in the outcome.

What is the difference between "I would likely" and "I might"?

""I would likely"" suggests a higher probability than "I might". "I might" indicates a possibility, while "I would likely" suggests a reasonable expectation.