are likely to fall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are likely to fall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a probability or expectation that something will decrease or drop in the future. Example: "The stock prices are likely to fall if the market continues to show signs of instability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once the boss has a second child, female workers' wages are likely to fall, just like men's.

The Economist

It's bad because families are likely to fall sick, just like us.

Unicef

To a contrarian like Mr. Schaeffer, low volatility means stocks are likely to fall in the near term.

The New York Times

Both strategies are likely to fall short.

The New York Times

Such records are likely to fall next year.

The Economist

The numbers are likely to fall after verification.

The Guardian

With strangling student debt, we are likely to fall further.

The New York Times

Increased competition means margins are likely to fall.

The New York Times

Such calls are likely to fall on deaf ears.

The Washington Post

They are likely to fall again next year, to $43 billion.

The New York Times

These figures are likely to fall further, as banking sector turmoil means leveraged deals are dead.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When predicting future trends or outcomes, use "are likely to fall" to convey a strong probability of decrease without stating it as an absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "are likely to fall" when the decrease is not highly probable or supported by evidence. Using stronger or more definite language in uncertain situations can damage credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are likely to fall" functions primarily as a predicative expression, indicating a strong possibility or high probability of a future decrease or decline. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to forecast trends, anticipate changes, or express expectations in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are likely to fall" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a strong probability of future decline. As indicated by Ludwig, it's appropriate across many contexts, especially within news and business. Alternatives such as "are prone to decrease" and "are expected to decline" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure that the predicted decline is supported by evidence to maintain credibility. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are prone to decrease

Emphasizes a natural tendency or susceptibility towards a decrease.

are expected to decline

Focuses on expectations or predictions of a decrease.

are apt to diminish

Suggests a natural inclination towards becoming smaller or weaker.

are inclined to drop

Indicates a tendency or leaning towards a decrease.

are poised to decrease

Implies readiness or preparation for a decrease.

are liable to reduce

Indicates a legal or practical risk of reduction.

will probably decrease

Uses "probably" to express a high likelihood of decreasing.

will potentially lessen

Uses "potentially" to describe possible decline in amount or intensity.

might foreseeably diminish

A more formal way to state that a reduction is foreseeable.

could conceivably decline

Indicates a possibility, though not necessarily a high probability, of a decrease.

FAQs

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

Use "are likely to fall" to express a high probability of decline or decrease. For example, "House prices "are likely to fall" due to rising interest rates".

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

You can use alternatives like "are prone to decrease", "are expected to decline", or "are apt to diminish" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "are likely to fall" or "will definitely fall"?

"Are likely to fall" indicates a high probability but acknowledges uncertainty. "Will definitely fall" asserts absolute certainty, which may be inappropriate if there's any possibility of the opposite outcome.

What's the difference between "are likely to fall" and "might fall"?

"Are likely to fall" suggests a higher probability than "might fall". "Might fall" indicates a possibility, whereas "are likely to fall" suggests a strong expectation based on current trends or conditions.