he was likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a probability or likelihood regarding a situation or action related to the subject. Example: "Given his past behavior, he was likely to arrive late to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Usually when they find something like that, it shows he was likely flying impaired," Corral said.

Los Angeles Times

He was likely starting to breathe easier".

The New York Times - Books

He was likely unmoved by the last.

The New Yorker

They knew he was likely to repeat something offensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Officials said he was likely to discuss Hinkley.

The Guardian

But he said he was likely to vote Ukip nonetheless.

The Guardian

I knew that he was likely aware of the problem.

The New York Times

We also knew that he was likely to overreach.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this case he was likely to think less of my client.We changed that.

Harvard University

He was likely the first person with severe autism to undergo a heart transplant.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He was likely to be a top-five pick, if not the No. 1 pick.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was likely", ensure the context provides sufficient evidence or reasoning for the stated likelihood. Avoid stating it as a fact without supporting information.

Common error

Avoid presenting something as certain when using "he was likely". The phrase implies probability, not definitive knowledge. Using stronger verbs such as 'knew' or 'proved' can fix it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was likely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express a degree of probability or expectation concerning an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was likely" is a grammatically correct and widely used construction for expressing a degree of probability or expectation. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct. When using "he was likely", be sure to provide context for the probability and avoid stating it as a certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he probably was

Reorders the words for a more conversational tone.

it is probable that he

Uses 'probable' instead of 'likely', suggesting a formal tone.

it is expected that he

Replaces 'likely' with 'expected', implying anticipation.

he was anticipated to

Uses a passive construction to convey expectation.

chances are he was

Offers a more colloquial way to express likelihood.

he was presumptively

Employs 'presumptively' for a more legalistic or formal nuance.

it's a good bet he

Uses an informal idiom to indicate a likely outcome.

he seemed destined to

Suggests a sense of fate or inevitability.

he had a good chance to

Focuses on the opportunity or possibility for something to happen.

he appeared inclined to

Indicates a tendency or preference.

FAQs

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

Use "he was likely" to express a degree of probability or expectation regarding a past event or situation. For example, "Given his experience, he was likely to succeed."

What's the difference between "he was likely" and "he was probably"?

Both phrases express a similar level of probability, but "he was likely" might suggest a more reasoned assessment, while "he was probably" can be more informal and based on general impressions.

Can I use "he was likely" in formal writing?

Yes, "he was likely" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in academic and professional contexts.

What are some alternatives to "he was likely"?

You can use alternatives like "it is probable that he", "he probably was", or "it is expected that he" depending on the desired nuance and formality.