it was highly likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was highly likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong probability or likelihood of an event occurring in a past context. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it was highly likely that the defendant was at the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In its report, chairman Jon Day said it was "highly likely" the Assad regime was responsible.

BBC

If you were partying in the 90s and you liked "urban" music, it was highly likely that you went to Garage Nation.

The Guardian - Music

Federal and private security experts said that the submission for review was belated and that it was highly likely that people other than the author -- like his co-author and his editor, among others -- had seen the manuscript.

The New York Times

Though EADS postponed final approval until its next board meeting on Dec. 10, executives said it was highly likely that Airbus would pursue building a direct rival to the 7E7.

The New York Times

A statement said the British government believed it was "highly likely" that Syria had used chemical weapons on its own people, and that such an atrocity could not pass unchallenged.

Vice

The study concluded that it was highly likely the plant was leaking.

The New York Times

Late Friday, his lawyer said it was "highly likely" that he would testify.

The New York Times

Senate Democrats immediately attacked the proposal, saying it was highly likely to violate the Antiballistic Missile Treaty within a year.

The New York Times

The ombudsman's report said it was "highly likely" that police failings in north Belfast had been replicated elsewhere.

The Economist

(In the House of Commons on Monday, Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, said it was "highly likely" that Russia was responsible).

The New Yorker

Bowles said he accepted that the HoNOSCA scale was a "national outcome scale" and it was "highly likely" it would be introduced into the system.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to express a near certainty, consider alternatives such as "it was almost certain" or "it was virtually guaranteed" for a more emphatic declaration.

Common error

Avoid using "it was highly likely" when the outcome is already known with certainty. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the likelihood is being assessed retrospectively, but the actual outcome was uncertain at the time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was highly likely" functions as an evaluative expression, assessing the probability of a past event or condition. As shown in the examples from Ludwig, it is used to convey a strong sense of expectation based on available information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was highly likely" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong degree of probability regarding past events. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s considered grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse sources, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure it accurately reflects the intended level of certainty. For situations requiring a different nuance, explore alternatives such as "it was very probable" or "it was almost certain". Also, remember to use "it is highly likely" to refer to something happening now or in the future. Avoid overstating the certainty and reserve the phrase for situations where the actual outcome was uncertain at the time. The phrase is considered grammatically sound and widely used in authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing probability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was highly probable

Uses a synonym for "likely" to denote a strong possibility.

It was very probable

Emphasizes likelihood with a slightly different intensity.

It was quite likely

Expresses a good chance of something occurring.

It was reasonably likely

Suggests a moderate level of expectation.

It was almost certain

Indicates a near certainty, stronger than "highly likely".

It was a strong possibility

Focuses on the potential for something to happen.

Chances were high that

Shifts the focus to the probability itself rather than a direct assessment.

It was to be expected

Highlights that something was predictable based on the circumstances.

The odds were good that

Similar to 'chances were high', indicating favorable conditions for an event.

It seemed plausible that

Suggests that something appeared believable or reasonable.

FAQs

How can I use "it was highly likely" in a sentence?

Use "it was highly likely" to express a strong probability about a past event or situation, implying that the available evidence strongly suggested that outcome. For example, "Given the storm's intensity, "it was highly likely" there would be power outages".

What's a more formal alternative to "it was highly likely"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "it was highly probable" or "it was reasonably certain". These phrases provide a similar level of assurance but with a more elevated vocabulary.

Is "it was highly likely" the same as "it is highly likely"?

No, "it was highly likely" refers to a past event or situation, whereas "it is highly likely" refers to a present or future possibility. Ensure you use the correct tense to match the timing of the event you're discussing.

What's the difference between "it was likely" and "it was highly likely"?

The addition of "highly" intensifies the degree of probability. "It was likely" suggests a reasonable chance, whereas "it was highly likely" suggests a strong expectation based on available evidence or circumstances.