is likely to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"is likely to be" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are making predictions or express likelihood into the future. For example: "The team is likely to be victorious after their fantastic performance in the last game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is likely to be West.

The New York Times

The decision is likely to be appealed.

The New York Times

Energy is likely to be high.

The New York Times - Arts

The outcome is likely to be messy.

The Economist

The atmosphere is likely to be chilly.

The Economist

The contest is likely to be bruising.

The Economist

Such optimism is likely to be misplaced.

The New York Times

The fear is likely to be exaggerated.

The New York Times

Another essay is likely to be misunderstood.

The New York Times - Books

That judgment is likely to be: "Idiots".

The New York Times - Arts

It is likely to be messy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is likely to be" when you want to express a reasonable expectation based on current information or trends. Be mindful of the strength of your evidence; this phrase implies a good probability, but not a certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "is likely to be" when the outcome is already known or highly certain. In such cases, a more definitive statement would be appropriate. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is likely to be" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a prediction or expectation. It connects a subject with a predicted state or outcome, suggesting a reasonable probability without absolute certainty, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is likely to be" is a versatile and widely used expression to convey a reasonable expectation or prediction. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts, primarily in News & Media. When writing, use it to suggest a good probability without implying absolute certainty, as it functions as an evaluative expression. Be mindful of overstating certainty and choose more definitive language when appropriate. Remember to consider alternatives like "is expected to be" or "will probably be" to tailor your writing to the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is expected to be

Replaces 'likely' with 'expected', implying a stronger degree of anticipation or prediction.

is anticipated to be

Substitutes 'likely' with 'anticipated', suggesting a formal expectation based on prior knowledge.

is probable to be

Replaces 'likely' with 'probable', indicating a high degree of certainty based on available evidence.

will probably be

Changes the structure to use 'probably' as an adverb, slightly altering the emphasis.

is apt to be

Replaces 'likely' with 'apt', suggesting a natural tendency or inclination.

is bound to be

Uses 'bound' to convey a sense of inevitability or certainty.

is poised to be

Suggests readiness or preparation, implying that the outcome is almost certain.

has a good chance of being

Uses a more descriptive phrase to express possibility.

is projected to be

Replaces 'likely' with 'projected', typically used when referring to data-driven forecasts.

one can anticipate it to be

Changes the whole structure to a third person view adding a layer of impersonality.

FAQs

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

Use "is likely to be" to express a reasonable expectation about a future event or condition. For instance, "The meeting "is likely to be" postponed due to the weather."

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

Alternatives include "is expected to be", "is anticipated to be", or "will probably be". The best choice depends on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Which is more certain, "is likely to be" or "is certain to be"?

"Is certain to be" indicates a higher degree of certainty than "is likely to be". "Is likely to be" suggests a strong possibility, while "is certain to be" implies that the outcome is assured.

What is the difference between "is likely to be" and "might be"?

"Is likely to be" indicates a higher probability than "might be". "Might be" suggests a possibility, while "is likely to be" suggests that the event or condition is probable.