is very likely not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very likely not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong probability that something is not the case or does not exist. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it is very likely not true that the event occurred as described."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But the joke buried in "Tabloid" is that this sexual obsessive is very likely not a sexual person at all.

The New Yorker

Most of your memory capacity is very likely not available to you when you are a baby.

The New Yorker

What Black Hawk said to LeClair and Patterson is very likely not precisely what appeared in the book.

Britannica

Room air changes per hour (ACH) is very likely not the main parameter in determining good air quality and health and safety in the laboratory.

Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, that wonderful aphorist, once asked, "When a book and a head collide and a hollow sound is heard, must it always have come from the book?" The answer is, very likely not.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Ogden, who is going into the 10th grade but is very likely not returning to high school this year, said he had heard it was a cult house where people drank blood.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

And the equipment, he said, "should not be in a place where it is boring, like the basement, but easily accessible, or you are very likely not to go there".

The New York Times

Whatever the answer, part of the burden would fall on a given company's supply chain — companies, that is, that are very likely not to be covered by the regulation's reporting requirements, which cover only publicly traded companies.

The New York Times

Mr. Markopolos et al. were very likely not the only financial professionals who knew that Mr. Madoff was running a scam, but they may have been the only ones trying to stop it.

The New York Times

"Interestingly enough, if you look at Aurora, Tucson, Newtown, the people we're talking about are very likely not individuals whose names would be on any lists," said Ronald S. Honberg, the legal director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The New York Times

You should know as a manager that you're very likely not getting the best of an introvert's brain if you're asking them a question in an all-hands meeting.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is very likely not" when you want to express a strong sense of improbability without stating an impossibility. It's suitable for situations where you have considerable evidence suggesting something is untrue, but cannot be 100% certain.

Common error

Avoid using "is very likely not" when the situation requires a definitive statement. If you have conclusive proof, opt for "is certainly not" or "is not".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very likely not" functions as a modal expression of negative probability. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct, conveying a strong suggestion that something is untrue or improbable, without completely ruling it out. The examples demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is very likely not" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong probability that something is untrue. Ludwig AI validates this assessment, and our analysis shows the phrase appears across news, science, and general web content, carrying a neutral to professional tone. While not overly common, its clear meaning and consistent application make it a valuable tool for expressing qualified negations. Consider alternatives such as "is highly unlikely to be" or "is probably not" for nuanced variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is highly unlikely to be

Emphasizes a lower probability using "highly unlikely".

is probably not

Offers a less emphatic alternative using "probably".

is doubtful

Uses a single adjective to express uncertainty.

is not expected to be

Focuses on expectations rather than probability.

it's improbable that

Rephrases with a different introductory clause.

chances are slim that

Emphasizes the low possibility of something happening.

it's a long shot

Informal expression indicating low probability.

is far from certain

Focuses on the lack of certainty rather than the likelihood of negation.

is questionable

Implies doubt and uncertainty regarding the truth or occurrence of something.

is not very probable

Uses a more formal tone to express low probability.

FAQs

How can I use "is very likely not" in a sentence?

Use "is very likely not" to express a strong probability that something is untrue or will not happen. For example, "Given the available data, it is very likely not a coincidence".

What phrases are similar to "is very likely not"?

You can use alternatives like "is probably not", "is highly unlikely to be", or "is doubtful" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "is very likely not" or "is not very likely"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "is very likely not" emphasizes the improbability more strongly. "Is not very likely" is a milder expression of doubt.

When should I avoid using "is very likely not"?

Avoid using "is very likely not" in formal or scientific writing where more precise language may be preferred. Consider using terms like "improbable" or providing statistical probabilities instead.