highly likely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly likely that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a likelihood or probability that is greater than simply "likely", but slightly less certain than "certain". For example, you could say: It is highly likely that the weather will be sunny this weekend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is possible -- indeed, highly likely -- that Zuccarini holds numerous additional domains beyond those reported above.

Harvard University

As for London's police chief, of course it is "highly likely" that something "could" happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

If they agree to terms (highly likely), that probably takes Texas out of the picture.

The Washington Post

I do think it is highly likely that will happen, she has tremendous will and desire.

BBC

"It's highly likely that there are provisions like these in many governing documents," Mr. Poretz said.

The New York Times

But it seems highly likely that Peterson will start.

The New York Times - Sports

It is, therefore, highly likely that the infant plaintiff would have attended and graduated from college.

Harvard University

The quality of the forgeries made it highly likely that there was state involvement".

The Guardian

Then, it looked highly likely that they wouldn't even reach Surrey's miserable total of 124.

The Guardian - Sport

It is highly likely that post-Brexit we post-British will too.

The Guardian

— Barash concludes that it is "highly likely" that religion owes its origin to natural selection.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing a high degree of probability, use "highly likely that" to convey a sense of strong likelihood based on available evidence. This makes your writing more convincing and assertive.

Common error

Avoid using "highly likely that" when the evidence is only suggestive, or when there is a reasonable possibility of a different outcome. Overstating certainty can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly likely that" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It expresses a strong degree of probability or expectation regarding the occurrence of a subsequent event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly likely that" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to express a strong probability or expectation. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It sees prevalent usage in various contexts, including news, academia, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of certainty aligns with the available evidence to maintain credibility. Consider also the suggested alternatives to add variety to your writing and refine the nuance of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very probable that

Replaces "likely" with "probable", emphasizing a strong chance of occurrence.

almost certain that

Suggests a near guarantee, implying a slightly higher degree of confidence.

it is exceedingly probable that

Substitutes "highly likely" with a more formal and emphatic expression of probability.

odds are high that

Uses a more informal, idiomatic expression to indicate a strong likelihood.

it seems almost inevitable that

Shifts the focus to inevitability, suggesting a strong, unavoidable outcome.

one can reasonably expect that

Indicates an expectation based on logical reasoning and available information.

it is strongly anticipated that

Emphasizes anticipation and expectation, particularly in formal contexts.

it is quite predictable that

Highlights the predictability of an event, implying a high degree of certainty.

there's a strong possibility that

Uses "possibility" instead of "likelihood", softening the certainty slightly.

chances are good that

Presents a casual way of indicating a positive outlook with a high probability.

FAQs

How can I use "highly likely that" in a sentence?

Use "highly likely that" to indicate a strong probability or expectation. For example, "It is "highly likely that" the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to saying "highly likely that"?

You can use alternatives such as "very probable that", "almost certain that", or "odds are high that" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "highly likely that" or "very likely that"?

"Highly likely that" is generally considered slightly more formal than "very likely that", but both are appropriate for most formal writing.

What's the difference between "likely that" and "highly likely that"?

"Highly likely that" indicates a stronger degree of probability than simply "likely that". It suggests a higher confidence in the outcome.