how likely is it

USAGE SUMMARY

"How likely is it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to ask a question about the probability of something happening. For example: "How likely is it that the team will make the playoffs this year?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How likely is it that the United States will change its sports culture to that extent?

The New York Times

How likely is it that matter gave rise to mind all on its own?

WikiHow

How likely is it?

BBC

But how likely is it?

The Washington Post

How likely is it to succeed?

The New York Times - Books

But how likely is it to happen?

The New Yorker

So how likely is it that the gas will go?

Independent

How likely is it that he knew nothing?

The New York Times

"How likely is it that you will go to Florida?

The New York Times

How likely is it that Clinton will win you over?

The Guardian

How likely is it that AFSCME will lose?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how likely is it", ensure the context clearly defines the event or outcome you are questioning the probability of. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid grammatical errors by ensuring the verb "is" agrees with the subject in your sentence. For example, instead of saying "How likely they are to succeed?", use the correct form: "How likely is it that they will succeed?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how likely is it" functions as an interrogative expression used to inquire about the probability or chance of a particular event, outcome, or scenario. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how likely is it" serves as a common and grammatically sound inquiry into the probability of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for use in written English. It enjoys broad applicability across various contexts, including news, academia, and scientific discourse. To maintain clarity, ensure the subject of the inquiry is well-defined. While alternatives exist, such as "what are the chances" or "how probable is it", the core function remains consistent: to assess the likelihood of a specific outcome. As detailed by Ludwig examples, "how likely is it" is used to explore a wide range of possibilities, from political events to scientific phenomena.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how probable is it

Uses a more formal synonym for "likely", maintaining a similar structure.

what is the likelihood

Emphasizes the general concept of likelihood rather than a specific instance.

what are the chances

A more informal way to inquire about the likelihood of an event.

what's the probability

Focuses directly on the probability aspect, often used in statistical contexts.

how realistic is it

Focuses on the feasibility and practicality of something occurring.

how feasible is it

Highlights the practical aspects and whether something can be done easily.

to what extent is it possible

Shifts the focus to possibility and the degree to which it exists.

what is the prospect

Considers the outlook or potential for something to happen.

how far is it expected

Considers the degree to which something is predicted or anticipated to occur.

what's the anticipation

Focuses on expectation and whether or not something is anticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "how likely is it" in a sentence?

You can use "how likely is it" to inquire about the probability of a specific event or outcome. For example: "How likely is it that it will rain tomorrow?"

What are some alternatives to using "how likely is it"?

Alternatives include phrases like "what are the chances", "how probable is it", or "what is the likelihood", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "how likely is that" instead of "how likely is it"?

While "how likely is that" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts, "how likely is it" is generally used when referring to a specific event or situation. For example, "How likely is that to happen?"

What's the difference between "how likely is it" and "what is the likelihood"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "how likely is it" is often used to inquire about a specific scenario, whereas "what is the likelihood" tends to address the general probability of something occurring. For instance: "What is the likelihood of success?"