could likely be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could likely be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or probability regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "The results of the experiment could likely be affected by external factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What may have initially seemed like a gimmick could likely be, as Dustin Curtis artfully opined, a new communication medium all together.

TechCrunch

This activity, which has quickly spread to many different cities in Germany and Sweden, could likely be applied to U.S. rallies like the one in Charlottesville.

Huffington Post

Something that could likely be avoided with new citizenship.

The Guardian - Opinion

So if the next-door unit is owned by the original sponsor, Mr. Brill said, the apartment could likely be sublet without board approval.

The New York Times

The damage resulting inflicted on human spying operations was "in the committee's judgment, significant and could likely be long-lasting," the panel said.

The New York Times

But even if the data weren't already available, the key details could likely be inferred from other information that is already available.

The New York Times

Home Depot's decision could likely be a plus for Trinity.

Forbes

The zeolite-based materials could likely be used, but they too need improved stability.

Chemical Engineering Journal

Consequently, the CPD values reported in the paper could likely be erroneous.

Geothermal Energy

The exception was the domain "sleepiness" (containing eight items), which patients said could likely be further reduced without information loss.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Further speed improvements could likely be realised if the MatLab™ code were migrated to a multi-core or GPU deployment.

Advanced Structural and Chemical Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could likely be" when you want to express a reasonable probability based on available information, but avoid overusing it in close proximity to other similar modal phrases to maintain writing clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "could likely be" when a higher degree of certainty is warranted. If evidence strongly supports a conclusion, opt for more definitive language such as "is" or "will be".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could likely be" functions as a modal phrase, indicating a degree of possibility or probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to express a reasoned expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

58%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could likely be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a reasonable degree of possibility or probability. According to Ludwig AI, it’s perfectly acceptable for use in writing. Analysis of its usage patterns, using examples from Ludwig, indicates that it is most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal writing. Alternatives such as "might plausibly be" or "may well be" can be used to add variety or subtly shift the emphasis. When using the phrase, it's important to avoid overstating certainty and to consider whether more definitive language is appropriate based on the available evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may well be

Replaces "could likely" with "may well", indicating a strong possibility.

might plausibly be

Changes "could" to "might" and "likely" to "plausibly", softening the assertion of probability.

is apt to be

Uses "apt to be" instead of "likely be", suggesting a natural tendency or inclination.

is anticipated to be

Highlights the expectation or prediction of a future state.

is probably going to be

Transforms the modal verb construction into a future tense prediction with "probably", conveying a sense of expectation.

is inclined to be

Expresses a leaning or predisposition, replacing the direct assertion of likelihood.

is predisposed to be

Similar to "inclined to be" but suggests a stronger, inherent tendency.

is liable to be

Indicates a risk or potential for something to happen, rather than a simple likelihood.

is apt to result in

Shifts the focus from the state of being to the outcome or consequence.

is on track to be

Implies a progression towards a certain outcome, suggesting momentum.

FAQs

What does "could likely be" mean?

The phrase "could likely be" expresses a moderate degree of possibility or probability. It suggests that something is reasonably expected to occur or be true based on the available information.

How to use "could likely be" in a sentence?

You can use "could likely be" to indicate a plausible outcome. For example: "Given the current trends, the company's profits "could likely be" higher next quarter".

What can I say instead of "could likely be"?

You can use alternatives like "might plausibly be", "may well be", or "is probably going to be" depending on the context.

Is "could likely be" formal or informal?

The phrase "could likely be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider alternatives that sound more precise or sophisticated.