is it likely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is it likely that' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to frame a question in order to ask if something is probable or likely. Example: Is it likely that a vaccine will be developed soon to combat the virus?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor is it likely that the court will squander its reputation to satisfy the ambitions of either presidential candidate.

The New York Times

WHY is it likely that New Democracy will collaborate with its rival, the socialist Pasok party?

The New York Times

Nor is it likely that the African Union will add to its few thousand peacekeepers, mainly Ugandans, in Mogadishu.

The Economist

Nor is it likely that he will accompany the players.

The New York Times

Nor is it likely that Abdullah, Bin Laden's oldest son, will take on the role.

The Guardian

Still less is it likely that an appeal will be successful.

The Guardian

Nor is it likely that the pace of Chinese buying will accelerate further.

The New York Times

Nor is it likely that one firm will manage to build a global cloud monopoly.

The Economist

Nor is it likely that the Lotus can be adapted for the road.

The New York Times - Arts

Nor is it likely that Mr. Renneisen can buy the type of local support he gets in Atlantic City.

The New York Times

Nor is it likely that any print journalist in America is so richly compensated by his newspaper.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is it likely that" to introduce a question about the probability of a future event or outcome. It's a versatile phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Common error

While "is it likely that" is acceptable in most contexts, overuse can make your writing sound less assertive. Consider using stronger verbs or direct statements to convey probability, especially in formal documents. For instance, instead of "is it likely that the project will succeed?" you could say "the project is projected to succeed" or "the project's success is highly probable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is it likely that" functions as an interrogative clause starter, used to introduce a question about the probability or likelihood of a certain event or outcome. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is it likely that" serves as a versatile interrogative tool to explore the probability of various scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While adaptable, be mindful of overusing it in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "is it probable that" for formality or "is there a chance that" for informality. Ultimately, "is it likely that" remains a valuable asset for expressing inquiry about potential outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is it probable that

Replaces "likely" with "probable", indicating a similar degree of possibility but with a slightly more formal tone.

what is the likelihood that

Changes the phrasing to focus on the "likelihood" as a noun, altering the sentence structure.

how likely is it that

Inverts the word order for emphasis or stylistic variation.

is there a chance that

Uses "chance" instead of "likelihood", suggesting a possibility without specifying the degree.

is it possible that

Substitutes "likely" with "possible", indicating a broader, less specific range of potential outcomes.

could it be that

Employs a more speculative tone, implying uncertainty or wonder.

might it happen that

Uses "might" to express a weaker possibility, suitable for more tentative scenarios.

what are the odds that

Introduces a quantitative aspect, implying a calculation or estimate of probability.

is it conceivable that

Replaces "likely" with "conceivable", focusing on whether something can be imagined or believed.

are the chances high that

Specifically questions whether the likelihood is significant or elevated.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is it likely that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "is it probable that" or stating the likelihood directly, such as "the probability of... is high".

What's a less formal way to ask "is it likely that"?

In informal settings, you might ask "is there a chance that" or "could it be that" to convey a similar meaning with a more casual tone.

How does "is it likely that" differ from "is it possible that"?

"Is it possible that" inquires whether something can happen, regardless of how improbable. "Is it likely that" focuses on whether something is probable to happen, suggesting a higher degree of expectation.

Can "is it likely that" be used in persuasive writing?

Yes, but sparingly. Use "is it likely that" to introduce a question that you then answer with evidence to support your argument. Avoid overuse, as too many questions can weaken your persuasive stance.