he is likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of sentence "he is likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the possibility of something happening. For example: "He is likely to win the race tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is likely to succeed in that.

The Economist

He is likely to fare no better.

The Economist

He is likely to be fined.

Independent

He is likely to be disappointed.

The Economist

He is likely to miss the next three races.

Independent

He is likely to remain busy.

The Washington Post

He is likely to encounter substantial opposition.

The New York Times

Not that he is likely to care.

The Guardian - Sport

He is likely to start Sunday.

The New York Times

And he is likely to perform well.

The Guardian - Sport

He is likely to survive the criticism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is likely" to express a reasonable expectation based on available evidence or typical behavior. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he is likely" when the outcome is already certain or highly improbable. For example, don't say "he is likely to die tomorrow" unless there's a specific reason to believe so.

Linguistic Context

"He is likely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, expressing the probability of an action or event occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. The phrase adds a degree of uncertainty, distinguishing it from statements of fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is likely" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey a strong possibility or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While alternatives like "he probably will" or "he is expected to" exist, "he is likely" offers a balanced blend of formality and clarity. Remember to use it when there is a reasonable basis for your expectation, avoiding exaggeration or speculation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he probably will

Replaces "likely" with "probably", altering the word choice but retaining a similar level of certainty.

it is probable that he will

Transforms the sentence structure to emphasize the probability, adding formality.

he is expected to

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than pure likelihood.

chances are he will

Uses an informal idiom to express likelihood.

he stands a good chance of

Emphasizes the opportunity or potential for something to happen.

it is anticipated that he will

Highlights anticipation or a forward-looking perspective.

he is poised to

Suggests readiness and a high probability of immediate action or occurrence.

he may very well

Adds emphasis to the possibility, indicating a strong inclination.

he is apt to

Indicates a natural tendency or inclination.

one can expect him to

Frames the likelihood as a reasonable expectation based on circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "he is likely" in a sentence?

Use "he is likely" to indicate a strong possibility or expectation based on current evidence. For example, "Given his track record, "he is likely to succeed" in this new role."

What are some alternatives to "he is likely"?

You can use alternatives such as "he is expected to", "he probably will", or "chances are he will", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "he is likely" or "he will likely"?

"He is likely" is generally considered more grammatically correct and slightly more formal than "he will likely". While the latter is commonly used, "he is likely" maintains a clearer sentence structure.

What's the difference between "he is likely" and "he is certain"?

"He is likely" indicates a high probability but not absolute certainty, while "he is certain" suggests no doubt about the outcome. Therefore, "he is certain" is a stronger statement.