definitely likely

USAGE SUMMARY

No, 'definitely likely' is not a grammatically correct phrase and cannot be used in written English.
However, the phrase 'most likely' is correct and could be used in many different contexts. For example: "It is most likely raining outside right now."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That is what is definitely likely to happen," he told RTE television.

The Telegraph

And, as the graph below shows, large majorities report that they are "definitely likely to vote". Among these likely voters, Democrats had the same seven-point advantage in the generic ballot.

The Washington Post

Although there is little evidence that marijuana use increases the likelihood of criminal behavior, marijuana convictions are definitely likely to ruin lives and expose people to a life of crime behind bars.

Huffington Post

For the questions on help seeking, only the combined percentages of the answers "probably likely" and "definitely likely" are presented.

BMC Psychiatry

We summarised the serious adverse events data using a grading system according to their severity, as definitely, likely or unlikely to be serious, and a grading system according to relation between the event and the procedure as definitely, likely, unlikely to be related to the procedure.

British Medical Journal

Likewise, only the percentages for combined positive answers are described, such as "probably likely" and "definitely likely" for the discrimination item, and "agree" and "strongly agree" for the stigma item.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He's definitely more likely to cause problems for opponents than the immobile Olivier Giroud, but still has plenty to prove.

Independent

If US public and political opinion is now too hostile to inversions, a fresh tilt at AZ is definitely less likely.

The Guardian - Business

According to the company, more than three-quarters of the group said they would "definitely" or "likely" get to the theater earlier to watch the show and use the app to check in and play trivia.

The New York Times

"Drug screening is definitely a likely application.

Forbes

Organizations that formally identify their top talent are definitely less likely to lose valuable people.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "definitely likely" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "most likely" or "highly probable" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Don't combine adverbs of certainty (like "definitely") with adjectives of probability (like "likely"). This creates redundancy and grammatical awkwardness. Choose one or the other to express the intended degree of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely likely" attempts to function as an expression of high probability. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's not grammatically correct due to the combination of an adverb of certainty and an adjective of probability. The intended function is to convey something is very probable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definitely likely" aims to express a high degree of probability, but, as Ludwig AI points out, it's considered grammatically incorrect. This is due to the combination of "definitely", an adverb of certainty, with "likely", an adjective indicating probability. While examples can be found in various sources, including News & Media and Science, it is more advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives such as ""most likely"", ""highly probable"", or ""very likely"" to maintain clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most likely

A more grammatically sound and widely accepted way to indicate the highest probability.

very probable

Replaces "likely" with a direct synonym, conveying a similar degree of probability.

highly likely

Uses "highly" instead of "definitely" to intensify the likelihood, maintaining a similar level of formality.

quite likely

Similar in meaning, but may imply a slightly lower degree of certainty than "definitely likely".

almost certain

Indicates a very strong probability, nearing certainty.

undoubtedly likely

Replaces "definitely" with "undoubtedly", emphasizing the lack of doubt in the likelihood.

virtually guaranteed

Expresses a near-absolute assurance, stronger than "definitely likely".

assuredly probable

Combines an adverb of certainty with the adjective "probable", resulting in similar semantic meaning.

positively likely

Uses "positively" for emphasis, though less common in formal writing.

predictably probable

Suggests that something is not only likely but also expected.

FAQs

Is "definitely likely" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "definitely likely" is not considered grammatically correct. It combines an adverb of certainty with an adjective of probability, creating a redundant expression.

What's a better alternative to "definitely likely"?

A more appropriate alternative is "most likely", which conveys a high degree of probability without grammatical issues. Other options include "highly probable" or "very likely".

Can I use "definitely likely" in informal conversation?

While it might be understood in casual conversation, it's best to avoid "definitely likely" even in informal settings due to its grammatical awkwardness. Opt for clearer alternatives like "probably" or "most likely".

How does "most likely" differ from "definitely likely"?

"Most likely" is grammatically sound and widely accepted to indicate a high probability. "Definitely likely" is grammatically incorrect, as it combines an adverb implying certainty with an adjective suggesting probability. Thus, "most likely" is the preferable choice.