It seemed likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"It seemed likely" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing a belief or assumption about a situation that appears probable. For example, "It seemed likely that they would arrive on time." Alternative expressions include "It appeared probable" and "It seemed probable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seemed likely.

The Washington Post

It seemed likely, he looked spent.

The Guardian - Sport

It seemed likely to pass in the lower house, too.

The Economist

It seemed likely that Williams would have to comment, too.

The New Yorker

It seemed likely that the cells partly recruited the glyoxylate shunt as a by-pass route.

Metabolic Engineering

It seemed likely that one of the megastars would be hired.

The New Yorker

It seemed likely that he would at last meet his son.

The Economist

It seemed likely that the Abuelas knew about this, too, though they deny it.

The New Yorker

It seemed likely only to heighten the frustration and divisions between the increasingly polarized groups.

The New York Times

It seemed likely that the boom time would continue if Hillary Clinton was elected.

The Washington Post

It seemed likely that East held the missing clubs and West all the other high cards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "It seemed likely" to introduce an inference or conclusion based on available evidence, providing a balanced perspective without asserting absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "It seemed likely" when you possess concrete evidence or facts that confirm the situation; instead, opt for more definitive statements like "It was confirmed that" or "The evidence suggests".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It seemed likely" functions as an evidential expression, indicating that a proposition is likely true based on available information or observation. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase is used to introduce inferences and reasoned assumptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It seemed likely" is a versatile phrase used to express a reasoned assumption or expectation based on available information. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, allowing writers to convey a degree of probability without asserting absolute certainty. The key is to avoid overstating certainty when more definitive evidence exists. The high source quality and usage consistency contribute to its reliability as a valuable expression in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It appeared probable

Emphasizes the appearance or indication of something being likely.

It was probable

Directly states the probability of something.

It was to be expected

Suggests that something was anticipated or foreseen.

It was reasonable to assume

Highlights the logic or justification behind an assumption.

It was plausible

Indicates that something is believable or credible.

It was conceivable

Suggests that something is possible or imaginable.

Chances were

An informal way to express probability.

It could be anticipated

Emphasizes the ability to foresee a particular outcome.

One might expect

Indicates a general expectation based on prior knowledge or patterns.

It was a good bet

An idiomatic expression suggesting a high degree of certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "It seemed likely" in a sentence?

Use "It seemed likely" to express a reasoned assumption based on available information. For example, "It seemed likely that the meeting would be delayed due to the storm".

What phrases are similar to "It seemed likely"?

Alternatives include "it appeared probable", "it was probable", or "it was to be expected", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it more formal to say "It seemed likely" or "It was likely"?

"It seemed likely" often implies a degree of uncertainty based on observation, while "it was likely" can suggest a stronger probability. The choice depends on the context and the level of certainty you want to convey.

When should I avoid using "It seemed likely"?

Avoid using "It seemed likely" when you have definitive proof or solid evidence; instead, use phrases that indicate certainty, such as "It was confirmed" or "The data showed".