it was likely that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was likely that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express a probability or expectation that something might happen or be true. For example, "It was likely that the storm would cause significant disruption to air travel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was likely that mir-30d exerted its effect via downregulating ARC.

Cell Death and Disease

It was likely that one IS6100 element was shared by two transposon-like units.

Plosone

It was likely that the sintering of Pt occurred during LT-WGS operation itself.

Chemical Engineering Science

I thought it was likely that we would see a much more radically anti-American regime take over.

Princeton University

The spokesman said it was likely that medical records would be seized from the premises.

The Guardian

Health authorities said it was likely that thousands of children will be screened.

The New York Times

But in the ideal European duel it was likely that both parties would survive.

The New Yorker

Potsdam's mayor, Jann Jacobs, said it was likely that the Christmas market would reopen tomorrow.

The Guardian

But once Lance Ogren became a firefighter, it was likely that Jay Ogren would, too.

The New York Times

Given East's diamond shortage, it was likely that he held the heart queen.

The New York Times

Timms acknowledged that it was "likely" that the bill will go into the "wash-up".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was likely that" to express a calculated guess based on available information, rather than a definitive statement of fact.

Common error

Avoid using "it was likely that" when you have concrete evidence. Opt for stronger assertions if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was likely that" functions as a sentence introducer to express a degree of probability or expectation. Ludwig shows that it commonly precedes a clause explaining what was considered probable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was likely that" is a versatile phrase used to express a moderate degree of probability or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently encountered across diverse contexts, including news reports, scientific publications, and academic writing. While highly common, remember to choose stronger wording when you possess definitive evidence. Consider alternatives like "it was probable that" or "it was expected that" to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was probable that

Replaces 'likely' with 'probable', indicating a strong possibility.

it was expected that

Shifts the focus to anticipation or expectation rather than probability.

it was anticipated that

Similar to 'expected', but suggests a more formal or planned anticipation.

it was reasonable to assume that

Introduces an element of assumption based on available information.

it could be inferred that

Highlights the act of drawing a conclusion from evidence.

it seemed plausible that

Emphasizes the believability or credibility of the scenario.

it was conceivable that

Suggests that something is within the realm of possibility, though not necessarily probable.

the odds were that

Uses a more informal, probabilistic framing.

chances were that

A colloquial way of expressing probability.

it stood to reason that

Indicates a logical conclusion based on circumstances.

FAQs

What does "it was likely that" mean?

The phrase "it was likely that" indicates a moderate degree of probability or expectation for a particular event or outcome. It suggests that based on available information, the event in question had a good chance of occurring.

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

You can use "it was likely that" to introduce a probable outcome or consequence. For example, "Given the weather forecast, "it was likely that" the game would be canceled."

What can I say instead of "it was likely that"?

You can use alternatives like "it was probable that", "it was expected that", or "it seemed plausible that" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "it was likely that" formal or informal?

"It was likely that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives such as "it was anticipated that" might be preferred in certain professional or academic settings.