it looks likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"it looks likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something seems probable or expected, based on given evidence. For example, "The weather forecast says there will be rain tomorrow, so it looks likely we'll need to cancel the picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"As for Phones 4u itself, unless it can dramatically reconfigure its business, it looks likely that its place on the high street is well and truly disconnected".

Independent

loan is still subject to approval by its executive board, it looks likely to sail through.

The New York Times

But it looks likely to recover strongly.

The New York Times

It looks likely to fizzle out too.

The Economist

It looks likely to enter parliament for the first time.

The Economist

It looks likely to be unfurled again on Friday.

Independent

It looks likely to be the Greek experience too.

The Guardian - Business

"We know it looks likely right now that Gary is going to leave the club.

Independent

It looks likely that Santander will switch to Formula One's most famous name, Ferrari, in 2010.

The Economist

It looks likely that a big chunk of restructured loans will turn sour.

The Economist

In Japan, and perhaps also in France, it looks likely to lose ground.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "it looks likely" with a specific timeframe or condition to provide more context and strengthen your statement. For example, "It looks likely that the deal will be finalized by the end of the quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "it looks likely" when the outcome is already confirmed or highly improbable. Instead, use stronger or weaker expressions of certainty as appropriate. For example, if something is guaranteed, say "it will happen" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks likely" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a judgment about the probability of a future event or current situation. Ludwig examples show its usage in predicting outcomes and expressing expectations, as also explained by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it looks likely" is a versatile and widely used phrase for expressing probability or expectation, suitable for various contexts due to its neutral tone. Ludwig's analysis confirms it's grammatically correct, and Ludwig AI states that it is usable in written English. While there are more formal and informal alternatives, understanding its usage helps in conveying the appropriate level of certainty in your writing. By avoiding overstatements and considering the specific context, you can effectively use this phrase to communicate your predictions or assessments. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems probable

Replaces "looks" with "seems" and "likely" with "probable", maintaining a similar level of certainty.

it appears probable

Substitutes "looks" with "appears" and "likely" with "probable", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

it is expected

Indicates a belief that something will happen, based on current evidence or trends.

it is anticipated

Conveys a sense of expectation, often used in more formal contexts.

it is foreseeable

Highlights the predictability of an event based on current circumstances.

it is reasonable to assume

Emphasizes the logical basis for expecting something to happen.

it is inclined to

Suggests a tendency towards a particular outcome.

odds are

An informal way to express that something is very likely to occur.

chances are

Similar to "odds are", this is an informal way to indicate high probability.

it's on the cards

A British idiom meaning something is likely to happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "it looks likely" to suggest that something is probable based on current evidence. For example, "It looks likely that the company will announce record profits this year."

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

You can use alternatives like "it seems probable", "it is expected", or "chances are" to express a similar degree of probability.

Is "it looks likely" formal or informal?

"It looks likely" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "it appears probable".

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

"It looks likely" suggests a high probability but acknowledges some uncertainty, while "it is certain" indicates complete confidence in the outcome. Use "it looks likely" when there's a strong indication but no guarantee.