is highly likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"is highly likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has a very high chance of happening. For example, "Given the current market conditions, it is highly likely that stocks will continue to experience significant volatility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is highly likely to continue to be expansionary.

The New York Times

Or my own mistake, which is highly likely.

The New York Times

With his one treatment, having some sweating is highly likely.

The New York Times

An attack is highly likely so we have to respond".

Independent

"It is highly likely the security forces were involved".

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

France has warned its citizens that a terror attack in the UK is "highly likely".

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

The campaign against Al Qaeda, several officials said, is highly likely to take years.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

Clearly a predisposition is required, and this is highly likely to be genetic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is highly likely" when you want to convey a strong degree of probability without stating something as a certainty. This phrasing is suitable for situations where there is considerable evidence or reason to expect a particular outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "is highly likely" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "is very probable" or "is almost certain" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is highly likely" functions as a predicative expression indicating a strong probability or expectation. It is used to convey that a particular event or outcome is very probable based on available evidence or current circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is highly likely" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a strong probability. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for conveying a high degree of expectation. This phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, making it suitable for various forms of professional communication. To enhance your writing, consider using synonyms like "is very probable" or "is almost certain" to avoid repetition. Remember that overuse can detract from your message, so diversify your phrasing to maintain reader engagement. The phrase is effective for conveying a reasoned expectation but ensure the context supports the level of certainty you imply with "is highly likely".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is very probable

Replaces 'likely' with 'probable' and 'highly' with 'very', slightly reducing the intensity.

is exceedingly probable

Substitutes 'highly' with 'exceedingly' for emphasis, maintaining formal tone.

is almost certain

Indicates near certainty, a stronger degree of likelihood.

is quite possible

Downgrades the certainty; indicates something is reasonably expected.

is to be expected

Shifts focus to expectation rather than probability.

is anticipated

Implies expectation based on prior knowledge or trends.

is prone to happen

Suggests a natural tendency or predisposition toward an event.

can reasonably be expected

Emphasizes the reasonableness of the expectation.

possesses a strong chance

Employs a different phrasing structure.

figures to happen

Utilizes informal language.

FAQs

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

Use "is highly likely" to express a strong probability. For example, "Given the positive test results, a full recovery "is highly likely"."

What are some alternatives to "is highly likely"?

You can use phrases such as "is very probable", "is almost certain", or "is quite possible" depending on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is highly likely" or "is very likely"?

Both "is highly likely" and "is very likely" are correct. "Is highly likely" suggests a slightly stronger degree of probability than "is very likely", but they are often interchangeable.

What is the difference between "is highly likely" and "is possible"?

"Is highly likely" indicates a strong probability based on available evidence, whereas "is possible" simply means that something could happen, without implying any specific level of probability. Thus "is highly likely" indicates a much higher chance than something being just "is possible".