is highly likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

'is highly likely to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when something is probable given certain conditions or circumstances. For example: "Given the current market conditions, profits are highly likely to be lower this year than last."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is it someone who is highly likely to spread a rumor about anyone?

WikiHow

It is highly likely to continue to be expansionary.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

He is highly likely to get the job even if they lose.

The Guardian - Sport

The cult's legacy is highly likely to haunt the children for the rest of their lives.

The New York Times

The amendment itself is highly likely to pass on Tuesday with Labour frontbench support.

The Guardian

And that is highly likely to be the case, given the government's extreme unpopularity right now.

The Washington Post

Mr Saakashvili, for one, believes that is highly likely to happen.

The Economist

This individual is highly likely to be refused entry to the UK".

Independent

Critics know Labour is highly likely to come third in the Rochester and Strood poll, behind Ukip and the Tories.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is highly likely to" when you want to express a strong probability based on existing evidence or reasonable assumptions. It adds a degree of confidence to your statement without making an absolute claim.

Common error

Avoid using "is highly likely to" when the evidence is weak or speculative. Overstating the probability can undermine your credibility. If uncertainty exists, qualify your statement with phrases like "is likely to" or "may".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is highly likely to" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a strong degree of probability or expectation regarding a future event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

34%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is highly likely to" is a versatile epistemic modal used to express a strong probability or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. When using the expression remember to use it when you have solid reason to believe something will happen. While it is suitable for formal and informal contexts, you may adjust the phrasings depending on the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is very probable that

Changes the intensity from 'highly likely' to 'very probable', focusing on the chance of something occurring.

is quite possible that

Indicates a good chance but might suggest slightly less certainty than "is highly likely to".

is expected to

Shifts the focus to an anticipation or prediction, often based on trends or prior information.

is anticipated to

Similar to 'is expected to', but can imply a more formal or professional expectation.

is poised to

Suggests readiness or being on the verge of something happening, implying a high probability.

is inclined to

Implies a tendency or predisposition towards a particular outcome.

is apt to

Indicates a natural tendency or likelihood based on inherent qualities or circumstances.

it seems inevitable that

Conveys a sense of certainty and unavoidability, suggesting a strong probability.

chances are high that

An idiomatic way to express a significant probability, often used in informal contexts.

it's almost certain that

Indicates a near-absolute level of confidence about a future event.

FAQs

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

Use "is highly likely to" to express a strong probability or expectation. For example, "Given the current trends, the company "is highly likely to" report record profits this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "is highly likely to"?

Alternatives include "is very probable that", "is expected to", or "chances are high that", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "is highly likely to"?

It's appropriate when you have a good reason to believe that something will happen, but you cannot guarantee it. This phrase is suitable for expressing informed predictions.

Is "is highly likely to" formal or informal?

"Is highly likely to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer "is very probable that" or "is anticipated to".