highly likely will

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly likely will" is not correct in standard written English.
It is a redundancy because "highly likely" already implies a strong probability, making "will" unnecessary. Example: "It is highly likely that the event will be postponed due to the weather."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This makes it highly likely it will happen quicker, and that there will be little or no chance of it not clearing the Senate".

The New York Times

I can't help but think that when scientists identify those elusive genetic markers for vascular dementia, complex and numerous as they will undoubtedly be, it is highly likely I will carry some of them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dr Adam Coutts, a public health researcher working on refugee health, said: "It is not inevitable that refugees will become infected but it is highly likely they will in places such as Jordan and Lebanon.

The Guardian

While another attack is "highly likely," it "will not be the end of the world – it will not be the end of America".

Huffington Post

"But I do think it's highly likely there will be a second referendum and I think it is highly likely Yes will win".

Independent

It is highly likely it will have some effect on the behaviour of the Sharks, but I think it will be difficult to predict what this will be.

The Guardian

While it is not specifically stated that Polley will direct the project, her increasing status as an auteur means it is highly likely she will.

The Guardian - Film

"It is highly likely they will come up with a higher poverty rate," he said.

The New York Times

"I think that it is highly likely he will end up in a courtroom".

The Guardian

"It's highly likely we will be appealing the conviction," he said.

The Guardian

It is highly likely you will be hearing very optimistic statements 12 months from now".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "highly likely will". It's grammatically incorrect. Use "highly likely to" instead, or rephrase for clarity.

Common error

Don't combine "highly likely" with "will". "Highly likely" already indicates a strong probability, so "will" is unnecessary and creates a redundant construction. Choose one or the other or use a different phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly likely will" attempts to express a high degree of probability. However, Ludwig AI notes it's grammatically incorrect because "highly likely" already conveys a strong probability, making "will" redundant. There are no correct examples of this phrase from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "highly likely will" aims to express a strong degree of probability, it is grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in standard written English. Correct alternatives include using "highly likely to", "very likely to", or restructuring the sentence to avoid the redundancy. Avoiding this phrase will improve the clarity and correctness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Highly likely to

Omits "will", correcting the grammatical redundancy while retaining the meaning.

Very likely to

Uses a different intensifier ("very") and removes "will" for grammatical correctness.

Most likely to

Employs "most" as the intensifier, avoiding the grammatical issue.

Almost certain to

Replaces "likely" with "certain", indicating a near-guarantee.

Likely to

Removes "highly" and "will" to create a grammatically correct and simpler expression of probability.

It is highly probable that

Restructures the sentence to use "probable" instead of "likely", removing the redundancy.

It is expected that

Shifts the focus to expectation, implying a high probability.

It is anticipated that

Similar to 'expected that', this suggests a strong likelihood based on anticipation.

It is almost a certainty that

Emphasizes the high degree of certainty, replacing "likely" with "certainty".

There's a strong chance that

Uses a more informal tone to express high probability.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "highly likely will"?

The phrase "highly likely will" is grammatically incorrect. You can correct it by removing "will" and using "highly likely to" or by rephrasing the sentence.

What does "highly likely" mean?

"Highly likely" indicates a strong probability or a high chance of something happening. It's similar to saying something is "very probable" or "almost certain".

Is it ever correct to use "likely will"?

While "likely will" isn't inherently incorrect, it's often seen as less formal and less precise than alternatives. In formal writing, it's better to use "likely to".

What are some alternatives to "highly likely to"?

Alternatives include "very likely to", "most likely to", "almost certain to", or "highly probable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.