are likely to continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are likely to continue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a probability or expectation that something will persist or carry on in the future. Example: "Given the current trends in technology, these changes are likely to continue for the foreseeable future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Given continued trends in these three factors, these declines are likely to continue.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

These debates are likely to continue.

Independent

So the gripes are likely to continue.

The Economist

And such problems are likely to continue.

Independent

Cutbacks are likely to continue.

The New York Times

But the attacks are likely to continue.

The New York Times

Improvements in efficiency are likely to continue.

The New York Times

Otherwise, the comparisons to Jordan are likely to continue.

The New York Times - Sports

For now, jobs are likely to continue trickling away.

The New York Times

Further investigations are likely to continue for months, even years.

The New York Times

Those are likely to continue, Afghan officials said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are likely to continue" when indicating a reasonable expectation based on current trends or conditions. Be mindful of the strength of your evidence; avoid overstating the certainty unless strongly supported.

Common error

Avoid using "are likely to continue" when the evidence is weak or speculative. Opt for more cautious language like "might continue" or "could continue" to reflect the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are likely to continue" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a prediction or expectation. It indicates that a particular action, trend, or situation is expected to persist in the future. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are likely to continue" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express an expectation of future persistence. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability in conveying predictions based on current trends. Ludwig AI highlights the phrase's correctness and usability, noting its function in indicating a probability. When using this phrase, consider the strength of your supporting evidence to avoid overstating certainty. Alternatives such as "are expected to continue" and "will probably continue" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will probably continue

Replaces "are likely" with "will probably", reducing the degree of certainty while maintaining a similar meaning.

are expected to continue

Substitutes "likely" with "expected", indicating a slightly stronger anticipation based on some evidence or prediction.

are anticipated to continue

Uses "anticipated" instead of "likely", suggesting a formal expectation of continuation.

are projected to continue

Employs "projected" to indicate a forecast or prediction based on data or trends.

are bound to continue

Replaces "likely" with "bound", suggesting a high degree of certainty about the continuation.

will undoubtedly continue

Adds "undoubtedly" for emphasis, expressing a very strong belief that something will continue.

are poised to continue

Uses "poised" to imply readiness and a strong probability of continuing.

are set to continue

Replaces "likely" with "set", indicating a predetermination or plan for something to continue.

show every sign of continuing

Expresses the idea that clear indications suggest something will continue.

it is probable that will continue

Restructures the phrase to emphasize probability, making it slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "are likely to continue" in a sentence?

The phrase "are likely to continue" is used to express an expectation that something will persist. For example, "Given the current economic climate, job losses "are likely to continue"."

What are some alternatives to "are likely to continue"?

Alternatives include phrases like "are expected to continue", "will probably continue", or "are projected to continue", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "are likely to continue" or "will continue"?

"Are likely to continue" suggests a probability based on current evidence, while "will continue" implies a higher degree of certainty. The best choice depends on how confident you are in the prediction.

What's the difference between "are likely to continue" and "are going to continue"?

"Are likely to continue" expresses a prediction based on current trends or conditions. "Are going to continue" implies a planned or intended action. For example, "Price increases "are likely to continue" due to inflation", versus "The company "are going to continue" investing in research and development".