is very likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very likely to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing a high probability that something will happen in the future. For example, "It is very likely to rain tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If this season proceeds like that one, the home run frequency is very likely to slow.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Kabila is very likely to win.

The Economist

Today he is very likely to die.

The Economist

It is very likely to become hot, more than 100oC.

Princeton University

The solar variability is very likely to be among them.

Advances in Space Research

But Mr. Miller's petition is very likely to succeed nonetheless.

The New York Times

What, you don't think that is very likely to happen?

The New Yorker

Insiders say the extension is "very likely to be given".

The Guardian - Business

"The 2012 election is very likely to be incredibly tight.

The Guardian

However, an individual gold is very likely to remain elusive.

The New York Times - Sports

No, President Hollande is very likely to be wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is very likely to" when you want to express a strong possibility based on available evidence or established patterns. For example, "Given the current trends, the company "is very likely to" report record profits this quarter".

Common error

Avoid using "is very likely to" when the outcome is merely possible but not strongly supported by evidence. Overstating the likelihood can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very likely to" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a high degree of probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms this by providing numerous examples where the phrase is used to predict or assess the likelihood of future events. It highlights the speaker's assessment of a potential outcome based on available information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

27%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is very likely to" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse sources like news, science, and academic publications. Its neutral register allows it to function effectively in various contexts, conveying information and shaping expectations. When writing, use it when you have sufficient evidence to support a high degree of certainty, but avoid overstating the likelihood if the outcome is only speculative. Alternatives like "is highly probable to" or "will probably" can provide subtle variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is highly probable to

Replaces "very likely" with "highly probable", maintaining a formal tone and similar level of certainty.

is almost certain to

Indicates a slightly stronger degree of certainty than "very likely".

will probably

Uses an adverb of probability instead of an adjective phrase, resulting in a less formal tone.

is expected to

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than pure probability, implying a basis for the likelihood.

can be expected to

Passive voice construction that emphasizes the predictability of the event.

is prone to

Suggests a tendency or predisposition towards a particular outcome.

is anticipated to

Focuses on the anticipation or expectation of an event, often used in formal contexts.

tends to

Implies a habitual or characteristic behavior, making the likelihood more about a pattern.

is apt to

Similar to "prone to", suggesting a natural inclination or suitability.

figures to

An informal expression indicating a reasonable expectation based on circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "is very likely to" to express a high probability or expectation. For example, "Due to the impending storm, the game "is very likely to" be canceled".

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

Alternatives include "is highly probable to", "is almost certain to", or "will probably", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "is very likely to" formal or informal?

"Is very likely to" is generally considered neutral and suitable for most contexts. More formal alternatives exist, such as "is highly probable to", while "will probably" is slightly less formal.

How does "is very likely to" differ from "is likely to"?

"Is very likely to" suggests a higher degree of probability than simply "is likely to". The addition of "very" emphasizes a stronger expectation of the outcome.