it highly likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it highly likely" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it is highly likely"? You can use the corrected phrase when expressing a strong probability or likelihood of something happening. Example: "Based on the current data, it is highly likely that we will meet our sales targets this quarter."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lane's as-applied approach, while favorable to its individual litigants, renders it highly likely that some applications of Title II will ultimately be subject to a successful sovereign immunity attack.

Yale University

"The clandestine culture of dog fighting and its nexus with other crimes makes it highly likely that those who can give significant evidence, which will lead to conviction, will be involved in the criminal world.

The Guardian

The quality of the forgeries made it highly likely that there was state involvement".

The Guardian

These factors make it highly likely that the Syrian regime was responsible.

The Guardian

That alone makes it highly likely that those well-known Tory heads will roll.

The Economist

His lawyers argued that the Morrison precedent made it highly likely that he would win his appeal.

The New York Times

This positive feedback made it highly likely that, if nonprime housing prices flattened, let alone fell, they would soon crash and take many nonprime MBS with them.

Cornell University

This makes it highly likely that, in the coming months, many more will suddenly shut their doors as Fulham & Chelsea College has done.

The Guardian

The vote makes it highly likely that the biggest shake-up of the common fisheries policy for decades will pass into law, perhaps next year.

The Guardian

All sides agree an accord is still possible, but none consider it highly likely, if only because the negotiators are dealing with so many other issues.

The New York Times

This makes it highly likely it will happen quicker, and that there will be little or no chance of it not clearing the Senate".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include the auxiliary verb "is" before "highly" to ensure grammatical correctness. Use "it is highly likely" instead of "it highly likely".

Common error

Avoid omitting the "is" in the phrase. Saying "it highly likely" is a common mistake, but it's grammatically incorrect. Always use the full phrase: "it is highly likely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase, when corrected to "it is highly likely", functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates a high probability or strong possibility of an event or condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, the uncorrected form is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it highly likely" is frequently used but grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it is highly likely". As pointed out by Ludwig AI, including the auxiliary verb "is" is crucial. This phrase expresses a strong probability or expectation and is found in various contexts, particularly news, science, and academic writing. Remember to always include "is" to ensure grammatical accuracy. While the phrase appears often, proper grammar is essential for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is highly probable

Adds the auxiliary verb "is" to correct the grammar while maintaining a similar meaning.

it is very likely

Replaces "highly" with "very", offering a more common and grammatically sound alternative.

it is quite likely

Substitutes "highly" with "quite", providing a slightly less intense but grammatically correct option.

it seems highly likely

Adds a sense of perception or observation, suggesting the likelihood is based on available evidence.

it is almost certain

Expresses a near-absolute certainty, stronger than "highly likely" but still conveying a strong probability.

it is probable

Uses "probable" as a direct synonym, making the phrase grammatically correct and similar in meaning.

it is to be expected

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than likelihood, implying a high degree of predictability.

it is reasonable to assume

Suggests the likelihood is based on logical deduction or inference.

chances are high

Offers a more informal way to express a high probability.

the odds are high

Uses a betting metaphor to convey a high probability of something occurring.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it highly likely"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase this is "it is highly likely". The inclusion of the verb "is" is essential for proper sentence structure.

What can I say instead of "it highly likely"?

You can use alternatives like "it is very likely", "it is quite likely", or "it is highly probable", all of which are grammatically sound and convey a similar meaning.

Is "it highly likely" formal or informal?

The phrase, when corrected to "it is highly likely", can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and register of the writing. It's generally considered neutral.

Which is correct, "it highly likely" or "it is highly likely"?

"It is highly likely" is the correct and grammatically sound version. "It highly likely" is missing the necessary auxiliary verb and is considered incorrect.