it is however likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is however likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that presents a possibility or likelihood, often in contrast to a previous statement. Example: "The results of the experiment were inconclusive; it is however likely that further testing will yield more definitive answers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

It is, however, likely that Spain with 41 and Poland with 31 deaths, did not (like Norway) report their indirect deaths.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

It is, however, likely that some enhancements have to be added to existing FEM software.

Engineering Structures

It is, however, likely that Russia's dominance as a gas supplier could be strengthened by such an organization.

Forbes

It is however, likely that the horses with the greatest ability to learn and form/understand concepts are those, which are better equipped to succeed in terms of the human horse relationship and the contemporary training environment.

Behavioural Processes

It is, however, likely that these are artifacts of the genome assembly process.

Plosone

It is, however, likely that the few bees left in colonies at the final stages of collapse are those that are not infected, and thus would be expected to be similar to uninfected bees in strong colonies.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

When it comes to Iran, the United States is, however, likely to find itself out on a limb by itself.

Huffington Post

It is however more likely that smokers would skip school and so our estimates are likely to be conservative.

BMC Public Health

It is, however, more likely they are simply adding a bit of a sting to the usual, overfamilar opiate.

The Guardian - Arts

It is, however, more likely that the figures will be 1% out rather than 3%.

BBC

It is, however, highly likely that multi-decadal oscillations, possibly of similar magnitude to that of 20th century, will be superimposed on the overall trend.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required for your writing. While "it is however likely" is generally acceptable, alternatives like "nonetheless probable" might be more appropriate for formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid overusing "it is however likely" when a more direct statement of probability would suffice. Overuse can weaken the impact of the phrase and make your writing sound hesitant or convoluted. If the likelihood is strong, consider stating it directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is however likely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the entire clause that follows. It serves to express a degree of probability or possibility, often introducing a contrast or qualification to a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is however likely" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a statement of probability, often in contrast to a previous point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is particularly common in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure it logically connects to a contrasting idea and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "it is still probable" or "nonetheless probable" for specific nuances. This phrase presents a balanced perspective, acknowledging uncertainty while suggesting a plausible outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's still probable

Replaces "however" with "still", slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the overall meaning of likelihood despite a prior point.

it is nonetheless probable

Substitutes "however" with "nonetheless" and "likely" with "probable", creating a more formal tone while keeping the core meaning.

it is still expected

Replaces "however likely" with "still expected", shifting the focus to expectation rather than probability.

it's nevertheless anticipated

Employs "nevertheless anticipated" in place of "however likely", suggesting a degree of anticipation despite potential obstacles.

it remains plausible

Uses "remains plausible" to convey a sense of ongoing possibility, rather than immediate likelihood.

it's still a possibility

Rephrases the statement to emphasize the aspect of possibility over probability, using a more general term.

it is possibly the case

Changes the structure to highlight the potential for something to be true, using a more cautious tone.

it could still be the situation

Replaces "likely" with "could still be the situation", focusing on a hypothetical scenario.

it might yet happen

Switches to a more concise expression, suggesting a potential future occurrence.

that remains a strong possibility

Transforms the phrase into a noun-focused construction, emphasizing the strength of the possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "it is however likely" in a sentence?

Use "it is however likely" to introduce a statement that presents a possibility or likelihood, often in contrast to a previous statement. Example: "The initial results were inconclusive; it is however likely that further analysis will provide clearer insights."

What are some alternatives to "it is however likely"?

You can use alternatives like "it is still probable", "it is nonetheless probable", or "it is still expected" depending on the context.

Is "it is however likely" formal or informal?

"It is however likely" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, for more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it is nonetheless probable".

What's the difference between "it is however likely" and "it is likely however"?

The placement of "however" affects the emphasis. "It is however likely" places more emphasis on the likelihood itself, while "it is likely however" emphasizes the contrast with a previous statement. Both are grammatically correct but convey slightly different nuances.