almost certainly will

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost certainly will" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a high degree of likelihood regarding a future event or action. Example: "If the weather continues to improve, we almost certainly will have a picnic this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She almost certainly will.

Independent

It almost certainly will not.

The Economist

Mohammed, almost certainly, will talk.

The New Yorker

Could, but almost certainly will not.

The New York Times

And the money almost certainly will flow.

The New York Times

"In fact, it almost certainly will".

The New York Times

That almost certainly will happen.

The New York Times

But Brett almost certainly will.

The Guardian - Books

It almost certainly will not survive.

The Washington Post

Madrid, meanwhile, almost certainly will not.

The Guardian - Sport

Your physicians almost certainly will resist.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost certainly will" to convey a strong degree of confidence in a prediction, but acknowledge that a small possibility of an alternative outcome remains.

Common error

Avoid using "almost certainly will" when the situation involves high levels of uncertainty. Use more tentative language if there is a genuine chance of an alternative outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost certainly will" functions as an adverbial modifier expressing a high degree of probability or likelihood regarding a future event. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is appropriate for indicating a strong expectation without absolute certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost certainly will" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a high degree of likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news, media, and formal communications. While implying a strong probability, it acknowledges a slight possibility of an alternative outcome. When using this phrase, consider whether absolute certainty is appropriate. If uncertainty remains, this phrase can add accuracy. Similar expressions include "very likely will", "most likely will", and "virtually certain to". Consider "almost certainly will" when a forecast requires precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very likely will

Emphasizes a high probability, replacing "almost certainly" with a simpler alternative.

highly likely will

Similar to "very likely", this option stresses the considerable probability of an event.

most likely will

Expresses a strong expectation that something will happen.

virtually certain to

Indicates an extremely high degree of confidence in a future outcome.

almost guaranteed to

Replaces "certainly" with "guaranteed", increasing the sense of assurance.

assuredly will

Replaces almost certainly with a single word that means the same.

undoubtedly will

Implies there is no doubt about a future event.

surely will

A more concise way to express a strong belief that something will happen.

in all likelihood will

A more formal way to express high probability.

it is to be expected that

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than certainty, while retaining similar meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "almost certainly will" in a sentence?

Use "almost certainly will" to express a high degree of confidence about a future event. For example: "If they continue playing this well, they "almost certainly will" win the championship."

What phrases are similar to "almost certainly will"?

Alternatives include "very likely will", "most likely will", and "virtually certain to". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "almost certainly will" in formal writing?

Yes, "almost certainly will" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a strong degree of probability without absolute certainty, which is often appropriate in professional or academic contexts. Alternative usage is in the scientific field.

What's the difference between "almost certainly will" and "definitely will"?

"Almost certainly will" implies a very high probability, but leaves room for a small possibility of an alternative outcome. "Definitely will" suggests absolute certainty, leaving no room for doubt.