it is only likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is only likely to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a probability or expectation regarding a future event or situation. Example: "Given the current trends, it is only likely to rain this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

East Dorset council opposed the plan, complaining that "this will create work to comply with and...add no value at all". Its chief executive David McIntosh wrote: "Rather it is only likely to result in requests and therefore further work when the few people who bother to look at it ask for further clarification". Mr McIntosh also called for the Freedom of Information Act to be revisited.

BBC

While many agree it is a "good start" for the social-network giant's new approach to its mobile presence, lots of reviewers also admit it is only likely to appeal to Facebook's most dedicated users.

BBC

And it is only likely to get worse.

The Guardian

The survey suggests the momentum is with Romney and it is only likely to pick up after Tuesday's primaries.

The Guardian

"Unless the authorities also start addressing the root causes of the violence, it is only likely to get worse".

The Guardian

Hope springs eternal among Mexico's fans, writes Johanna Tuckman, even if they know it is only likely to end in bitterness and defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

This is a complex issue, but the bottom line is this: If the public option has to negotiate its own rates with health providers, and it's only likely to get an average of 5% in any given market, it's not going to have a lot of clout to get favorable pricing.

Huffington Post

As for the private sector, it's only likely to invest in projects that come with a lucrative stream of revenue, like toll roads, which have not proved as successful as their promoters had hoped.

The New York Times

"If it looks bad now for middle-income families, those who turned out to vote for him, it's only likely to get worse [with Trump as president].

The Guardian

"More worrying, the report indicates that this disruption flows from new flight trends, so it's only likely to get worse".

The Guardian - Business

Baggio Leung, another umbrella movement alumnus who backs independence, was also vague about how it might be achieved but hinted it was only likely to happen if the Communist party collapsed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is only likely to" when expressing a moderate degree of certainty about a future event or outcome. It suggests a higher probability than "it is possible that" but less certainty than "it will definitely".

Common error

Avoid using "it is only likely to" when you have concrete evidence or guarantees. This phrase implies uncertainty, so a stronger statement is more appropriate when certainty exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is only likely to" functions as a modal phrase, expressing a probability or expectation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct. The phrase introduces a statement about a future event or condition that is considered probable but not certain. It qualifies a statement, indicating that the outcome is more than just possible but less than guaranteed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is only likely to" is a versatile modal phrase used to express probability with a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and common across various registers, most notably in news, scientific, and business contexts. While it signals a probable outcome, it's crucial to avoid using it in situations demanding certainty. Alternatives such as "it is expected to" or "it will probably" can be considered for slight variations in emphasis. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing nuanced predictions while acknowledging potential variability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's probable that

Changes the structure using "probable", indicating a strong likelihood.

it is expected to

Replaces "likely" with "expected", implying a degree of anticipation or prediction.

it will probably

Uses "probably" to denote likelihood, altering the sentence structure.

it is anticipated that

Substitutes "likely" with "anticipated", suggesting a foreseen outcome.

it is foreseeable that

Employs "foreseeable", indicating something that can be predicted.

it is apt to

Uses "apt" to convey a natural tendency or likelihood.

it is inclined to

Replaces "likely" with "inclined", suggesting a predisposition.

it is liable to

Employs "liable", indicating a risk or potential for something to happen.

chances are it will

Offers an idiomatic expression for probability.

it seems destined to

Suggests an inevitable or predetermined outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "it is only likely to" to express a probable outcome. For instance, "Given the weather forecast, "it is only likely to" rain later today" suggests rain is probable but not guaranteed.

What can I say instead of "it is only likely to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is expected to", "it will probably", or "chances are it will" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "it is likely to" and "it is only likely to"?

Adding "only" to "it is likely to" doesn't significantly change the meaning, but may subtly emphasize that the outcome is merely probable and not certain. "It is likely to rain" suggests a slightly stronger expectation than ""it is only likely to" rain".

Is "it's only likely to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it's only likely to" is a grammatically correct contraction of "it is only likely to" and is commonly used in both spoken and written English.