ever more likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ever more likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is increasingly probable or certain over time. Example: "As the evidence mounts, it becomes ever more likely that climate change is accelerating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The prospect of a radical shake up of the party is an ever more likely prospect, but what his premiership might look like has been a generally neglected subject.

Vice

So she held a potluck and with a handful of others, including a Republican rancher who looked like John Wayne, helped create a movement that seems ever more likely to block it.

Huffington Post

An Amazon phone grows ever more likely.

The New York Times

But the capability is becoming ever more likely.

The Guardian

But it looks ever more likely that a substantial and especially valuable part of it will.

The New Yorker

With a Chapter 9 petition looking ever more likely this summer, it finally terminated the contracts.

The New York Times

The prospect of a Barcelona-Real Madrid semifinal grows ever more likely.

The New York Times - Sports

They are ever more likely to have children out of wedlock.

The Economist

Now an aggressive focus on the economy seems ever more likely.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They seem ever-more-likely to lose, yes.

The New Yorker

[C9.] Nasdaq Breaks Record as Dow Falls Technology stocks powered the Nasdaq composite index to a record, as investors shrugged off the ever-more-likely prospect of additional interest rate increases this spring.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ever more likely" to emphasize a trend or a gradual increase in probability over time. For example, "As the data accumulates, a breakthrough becomes "ever more likely".

Common error

Avoid using "ever more likely" excessively in a single piece of writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "increasingly probable" or "more and more likely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever more likely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate an increasing probability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage. For instance, "The prospect of a radical shake up of the party is an ever more likely prospect."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ever more likely" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote a rising probability or increasing certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound and frequently encountered in diverse contexts, especially within News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to avoid overuse for stylistic reasons, opting for synonyms like "increasingly probable" or "more and more likely" to maintain writing variety. Given its widespread application and clear meaning, "ever more likely" remains a valuable tool for expressing evolving probabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly probable

Focuses on the growing probability of an event.

more and more probable

Emphasizes the gradual increase in probability.

increasingly certain

Shifts the focus to a growing sense of certainty.

a growing possibility

Emphasizes the expanding chance of something occurring.

highly likely

Indicates a strong degree of probability.

very probable

Simple alternative conveying high probability.

on the cards

Idiomatic expression meaning likely to happen.

within the realm of possibility

Suggests the event is becoming a plausible scenario.

gaining traction

Implies increasing momentum and likelihood.

on the horizon

Suggests the event is approaching and becoming more imminent.

FAQs

How can I use "ever more likely" in a sentence?

You can use "ever more likely" to describe a situation where the probability of something is increasing over time. For example, "With each new study, it becomes "ever more likely" that climate change is affecting weather patterns."

What are some alternatives to "ever more likely"?

You can use alternatives like "increasingly probable", "more and more likely", or "increasingly certain depending on the context.

Is "ever more likely" formal or informal?

"Ever more likely" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and general conversation.

What's the difference between "ever more likely" and "more likely"?

"Ever more likely" implies a continuous increase in probability over time, while "more likely" simply suggests a higher probability compared to something else, without necessarily indicating a trend.