is more likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"is more likely" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing the probability of two or more things happening. For example: "It is more likely that the team will win the match than that they will lose it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It looks like the second route is more likely.

The Guardian

The opposite is more likely.

The New York Times

Which scenario is more likely?

The New York Times

Silver is more likely.

The Guardian - Sport

"Coordination is more likely.

The Guardian

A private-equity buyer is more likely.

The Economist

Sadly, shallow politicking is more likely.

The Economist

Sammy is more likely to emulate Blago.

The New York Times

But it is more likely than not.

The Economist

It is more likely to work.

The Economist

A smile is more likely.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing likelihoods, ensure you clearly define the alternatives being compared. For example, instead of saying "It is more likely", specify "It is more likely to rain than snow".

Common error

Avoid using "is more likely" without specifying what it is being compared to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Always complete the comparison to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is more likely" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating a higher probability or greater chance of something occurring compared to something else. According to Ludwig, its usage is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is more likely" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express comparative probability. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is very common across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clear comparisons to avoid ambiguity. For nuanced expressions, alternatives like "is more probable", "is more inclined", and "is apt to happen" can add precision to your writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "is more likely" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is more probable

Uses "probable" instead of "likely", which offers a slightly more formal tone.

has a greater chance

Replaces the adjective with a noun phrase, highlighting the odds of something occurring.

is apt to happen

Emphasizes the inevitability or expected occurrence of an event.

is expected to

Suggests that something is anticipated or predicted based on available information.

is more inclined

Focuses on a tendency or disposition towards something, rather than pure probability.

is reasonably expected

Uses 'reasonably' to express that it's logically inferable with existing info.

is apt to

Implies a natural tendency or suitability, adding a nuance of inherent predisposition.

is bound to

Conveys a sense of certainty or inevitability about a future event.

is prone to

Suggests a vulnerability or susceptibility to something, often negative.

is statistically more significant

Highlights statistical relevance and a measured level of importance.

FAQs

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

Use "is more likely" to express that one event has a higher probability of occurring than another. For example: "Given the weather forecast, rain "is more likely" than sunshine today."

What can I say instead of "is more likely"?

You can use alternatives like "is more probable", "is more inclined", or "is apt to happen depending on the context".

Which is correct: "is more likely" or "is most likely"?

"Is more likely" is used for comparing two possibilities, while "is most likely" implies selecting the highest probability from multiple options. For instance, "Winning the lottery is unlikely, but winning a small prize "is more likely"". If we had the options of winning a small prize, medium prize, or jackpot, then the small prize "is most likely".

What's the difference between "is more likely" and "has a greater chance"?

"Is more likely" is a direct comparison of probabilities, whereas "has a greater chance" emphasizes the possibility or opportunity of something occurring. Both express higher probability, but "has a greater chance" puts more focus on the opportunity. For example, "Investing in established companies "is more likely" to yield consistent returns, but investing in startups "has a greater chance" of exponential growth, albeit with higher risk".