chances are it will

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chances are it will" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate the likelihood of something happening. For example: "Chances are it will rain tomorrow, so I should bring an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This will scare it, and chances are, it will have tried its best anyway.

WikiHow

Its frustrating and chances are it will take along time.

WikiHow

Chances are it will be brief".

The New Yorker

Chances are it will be a bit of all three.

The Economist

Chances are it will not happen this season, either.

The New York Times

But, chances are it will be a long, slow slog.

The New York Times - Tech

And chances are, it will survive many droughts to come.

The New York Times

Chances are it will soon be sponsored by laundry detergent or a fast-food chain.

The New York Times

If something moves you, chances are it will touch someone else, too.

Independent

But when they do, chances are it will be too late.

The New York Times

The case is not over yet, but the chances are it will be soon.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chances are it will" when you want to express a reasonable expectation about a future event based on current circumstances or evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "chances are it will" when you're expressing a certainty. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty, so it's not suitable for situations where the outcome is already known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chances are it will" functions as an adverbial phrase expressing probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a likely outcome or a high degree of possibility. It modifies the main clause by providing a qualifier about the likelihood of the event described.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

25%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chances are it will" is a common and correct phrase used to express a reasonable expectation about a future event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse sources, including news media, wikis, and scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, it leans slightly towards informal. When using this phrase, remember to imply uncertainty and avoid using it for situations where the outcome is already known. Consider alternatives such as "it's likely to happen" or "it is probable that it will", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's likely to happen

Replaces "chances are" with the more direct "it's likely", maintaining a similar level of probability.

it is probable that it will

Substitutes with a more formal tone, emphasizing the probability of the event.

it's quite possible it will

Indicates a good possibility that something will occur, similar to the original phrase.

the odds are it will

Uses "odds are" instead of "chances are", offering a slightly more informal tone.

it's anticipated that it will

Suggests an expectation or prediction, maintaining a similar level of likelihood.

it's expected it will

Similar to 'anticipated', conveying an expectation for a future event.

it is to be expected that it will

Adds a layer of formality, indicating something is normally or logically expected.

one can expect it will

More formal and emphasizes that someone can anticipate the event.

it's foreseeable it will

Highlights the predictablity of the event

it's almost certain it will

Expresses near certainty about a future event.

FAQs

How can I use "chances are it will" in a sentence?

Use "chances are it will" to indicate a likely outcome based on the current situation. For example, "If you don't study, "chances are it will" affect your grade".

What are some alternatives to saying "chances are it will"?

Alternatives include "it's likely to happen", "it is probable that it will", or "the odds are it will", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "chances are it will" formal or informal?

"Chances are it will" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. More formal alternatives might include "it is anticipated that it will" or "it is expected it will".

What's the difference between "chances are it will" and "it is certain that it will"?

"Chances are it will" implies a strong likelihood but not absolute certainty, while "it is certain that it will" suggests there is no doubt about the outcome. Use "chances are it will" when there's a good possibility, but not a guarantee.