it is likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is likely" is a perfectly valid and common phrase in written English.
You might use it when there is a good chance that something is true, but you are not sure. For example: "It is likely that a vaccine will be available soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is likely to stop.

The Economist

It is likely to pass.

The Economist

It is likely to happen.

The Economist

It is likely to be West.

The New York Times

And it is likely to grow worse.

The New York Times - Science

It is likely to be messy.

The Economist

It is likely to be the taxpayer.

The Economist

It is likely to keep going up.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't think it is likely.

Independent

It is likely to be sobering.

The Economist

Yet it is likely to be rocky.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is likely" when you want to express a qualified prediction or a belief based on evidence, but without absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "it is likely" when the situation requires a stronger statement of certainty or a definitive conclusion. Consider phrases like "it is certain" or "it is clear" if the evidence strongly supports it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is likely" functions as an epistemic modal. It qualifies a statement by indicating the speaker's assessment of the probability of something being true. Ludwig examples show it used to express expectations or predictions based on available information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is likely" serves as a versatile epistemic modal, used to express a qualified assessment of probability across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, highlighting its function in expressing expectations and tempering assertions. While appropriate for formal and informal settings, caution should be exercised against overstating certainty when stronger evidence is required. Common alternatives include "it is probable" and "it is expected". With a neutral register and frequent occurrence in news, scientific, and business sources, "it is likely" remains a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is probable

Replaces "likely" with "probable", indicating a similar degree of certainty.

it is expected

Suggests an anticipation or prediction, similar to a likelihood.

it is anticipated

Implies a forecast or expectation, akin to something being likely.

it is plausible

Indicates that something is believable or credible, and therefore likely.

chances are

Offers an informal way of expressing likelihood or probability.

it would seem

Suggests an inference based on available evidence, implying likelihood.

it appears

Indicates an observation that suggests something is likely to be true.

one can expect

Suggests an expectation based on current conditions, inferring something probable.

it is reasonable to assume

Implies a logical conclusion, making something likely given the circumstances.

it is reasonable to expect

It conveys an expectation considering the circumstances, making something likely.

FAQs

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

Use "it is likely" to express a degree of probability or expectation. For example: "It is likely that the game will be cancelled due to the weather."

What are some alternatives to "it is likely"?

You can use alternatives like "it is probable", "it is expected", or "chances are" to express a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "it is likely" or "it is probable"?

Both "it is likely" and "it is probable" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context.

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

"It is likely" suggests a higher degree of probability than "it is possible". "It is possible" simply means something could happen, while "it is likely" suggests it probably will.