entirely likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"entirely likely" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is highly probable. For example: "It is entirely likely that the project will be finished early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's entirely likely that markets like Arizona will not recover even in the 15- to 20-year time frame," said Mr. Humphries of Zillow.

The New York Times

PHILIP GOUREVITCH: It seems entirely likely that in a raid like that on a house where some are armed and some are not and it's a life and death battle, some of the people who get killed would be unarmed.

The New Yorker

And I don't need to talk them through a lonely night like Valentine's Day, because it's entirely likely that their husbands have phoned, FaceTimed, Skyped, emailed and texted more than once.

Huffington Post

Samsung's Galaxy S3 is an important product: given that smartphones now outsell PCs, and that Samsung has about a quarter of the entire smartphone market (spread among various products), it's entirely likely that the S3, its top-end product, will be the computer acquired by more people than any other in the next six months.

The Guardian - Tech

Which is entirely likely.

The Guardian - Music

It looked entirely likely that it might just die out.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the evidence of the past five years says that doesn't sound entirely likely.

The Guardian

It is entirely likely they will do better: a deadwood opener has been shed.

The Guardian - Sport

It's entirely likely they're just unable to contact us," he told Fairfax.

The Guardian

"It's entirely likely that we'll hear from Reverend Wright again," said Dan Payne, a Democratic media consultant.

The New York Times

And, knowing the West, it's entirely likely that LA and St Louis are far from safe at the moment.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entirely likely" to express a strong probability based on available evidence or logical reasoning, but avoid overusing it in contexts requiring absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "entirely likely" when the context demands a definitive statement of fact. While it indicates high probability, it doesn't equate to absolute certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely likely" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying the adjective "likely". It expresses a high degree of probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's perfectly acceptable and suggests using it to indicate strong probability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "entirely likely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a strong probability or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. It functions as an adverbial intensifier, adding emphasis to the likelihood of an event or situation. It is suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal news reports to scientific papers. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of high probability, but not absolute certainty. Consider alternatives such as "very probable" or "most likely" to tailor your message precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very probable

Indicates a high degree of probability, similar to "entirely likely" but with a slightly different emphasis.

highly probable

Synonymous with "entirely likely", emphasizing a strong likelihood.

quite likely

Similar in meaning, but suggests a slightly lesser degree of certainty than "entirely likely".

most likely

Implies a higher probability compared to other possibilities, akin to "entirely likely".

very possible

Indicates a high degree of possibility, comparable to "entirely likely".

highly possible

Similar to "entirely likely", but emphasizes the possibility aspect more than the probability.

almost certain

Suggests a near guarantee, a stronger assertion than "entirely likely".

virtually certain

Similar to "almost certain", indicating a very high degree of probability.

likely as not

An idiomatic expression indicating a high probability, comparable to "entirely likely".

it stands to reason

Suggests that something is logically probable, similar to the implication of "entirely likely".

FAQs

How can I use "entirely likely" in a sentence?

You can use "entirely likely" to express a high degree of probability. For example, "It's entirely likely that the meeting will be postponed".

What are some alternatives to "entirely likely"?

Alternatives include "very probable", "highly probable", or "most likely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "entirely likely" or "very likely"?

"Entirely likely" and "very likely" are relatively interchangeable, but "entirely likely" might be perceived as slightly more formal. Choose the option that best fits the overall tone of your writing.

When is it not appropriate to use "entirely likely"?

Avoid using "entirely likely" when you need to express absolute certainty or when the context requires a more definitive statement. In such cases, consider alternatives like "certain" or "definite".