and most likely

USAGE SUMMARY

'and most likely' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use 'and most likely' when you are indicating that something is probable or likely to happen. Example: We will probably have to wait until tomorrow for the package to arrive, and most likely it will come with some delays.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And most likely his last.

The New York Times - Sports

And, most likely, their last.

The New York Times

That can – and most likely will –happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

And most likely would ever have.

The New Yorker

Certainly not Luke, and most likely not his creator.

The Guardian - Books

And, most likely, in a lot of locker rooms.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of us have encountered (and most likely feared) him.

The Guardian - Opinion

And most likely, they have the approval of their partner.

The Guardian

Its emotions, and most likely Olson's, will be released.

The New York Times - Sports

He was treated and most likely returned to ground zero".

The Guardian

Yes; let's hope so; and most likely, yes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "and most likely", ensure that the context clearly supports the probability being expressed. The statement should be based on reasonable evidence or assumptions.

Common error

While "and most likely" is acceptable, frequent use can make writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider stronger or more precise alternatives like "and almost certainly" or "and in all likelihood" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and most likely" functions as a conjunction phrase, serving to connect two clauses or ideas. It introduces a statement that is highly probable based on the preceding context, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and most likely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conjunction phrase to express probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. It's most common in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register. For alternative expressions, you might consider phrases like "and in all likelihood" or "and presumably", depending on the desired nuance. While generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can be avoided by choosing more precise alternatives. The phrase serves to link related ideas where the second is a probable extension of the first.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and almost certainly

Expresses a high degree of confidence in the probability of something.

and in all likelihood

Emphasizes a slightly stronger degree of probability than "and most likely".

and very probably

Replaces "likely" with "probably", keeping a similar level of formality.

and presumably

Suggests that something is likely based on presumption or reasonable inference.

and it is probable that

A more formal and verbose way to express a similar degree of likelihood.

and chances are

An informal way to suggest something is likely to happen.

and one can expect that

Highlights the expectation of an outcome or event.

and as things stand

Indicates a likely continuation of the current situation.

and as a good bet

Indicates a strong belief that something is true or likely to happen.

and reasonably

Suggests that the outcome is a rational or logical conclusion

FAQs

How can I use "and most likely" in a sentence?

Use "and most likely" to indicate that something is probable or expected, connecting it to a previous statement. For example: "The event will be crowded, "and most likely" there will be long queues."

What are some alternatives to "and most likely"?

You can use phrases like "and in all likelihood", "and very probably", or "and presumably" depending on the level of formality and the strength of the probability you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use a comma before "and most likely"?

Yes, a comma is generally used before "and most likely" when it connects two independent clauses. For example: "The project is on schedule, "and most likely" will be completed on time."

What's the difference between "and most likely" and "most probably"?

"And most likely" is a connective phrase used to link related ideas with a sense of probability, while "most probably" is an adverbial phrase that emphasizes the high likelihood of something. They can often be used interchangeably, but "and most likely" serves more of a linking function in a sentence.