likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that something is probable, or that there is a good chance that something is true. Example: It is likely that the storm will pass by tonight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even with all the misgivings, 43% of respondents said they were more likely to "like" David Cameron than Ed Miliband (just 34 % and 36% thought him more capable compared with the Labour leader.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The run-off is likely to be between a supporter of the Blair-Ashdown 'project' like Mr Campbell or the uncharismatic Mr Harvey, and a sceptic, probably Mr Kennedy, MP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West since 1983.

The Guardian

"It is untrue from start to finish, and was quite likely dreamt up by the Labour press office.

The Guardian

"That will likely lead, I'm sorry to say, to some people resigning from the government or being fired.

The Guardian

Less likely.

The Economist

It's not likely to be pretty.

The Guardian

The strain is likely to grow more acute as the government depends on helicopter gunships to extend its reach to parts of the country rendered impassable to logistics convoys and even armored vehicles by the rebels' improvised bombs.

The New York Times

That doesn't mean getting out of print, but it does require a greater focus of attention, imagination and resource on the various forms that digital future is likely to take".

The Guardian

The two supreme court justices thought likely to cast the deciding votes, Anthony Kennedy and the chief justice, John Roberts, appeared deeply sceptical of the government's contention that healthcare regulation is a special case that gives Congress the power to oblige individuals to obtain insurance.

The Guardian

The displaced groups were expected to be living in the tents for up to eight weeks and authorities won't know until Cyclone Nathan has passed whether damage caused is likely to extend that.

The Guardian

Last summer the Electoral Commission said 7.5 million eligible voters were not registered, with poor, black and young people least likely to be on the electoral roll.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely" to express a reasonable expectation based on available evidence or prevailing conditions, maintaining a tone of informed anticipation rather than absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "likely" when the outcome is already known or confirmed. "Likely" suggests a degree of uncertainty, so it's inappropriate when the result is definite.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "likely" primarily functions to express probability or expectation. Ludwig provides examples showing it modifying nouns implicitly, indicating a high chance of a particular outcome or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely" is a common adjective used to express probability or expectation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct, and Ludwig's examples show it's primarily used in News & Media. This indicates a neutral register, suitable for objective reporting. When using "likely", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is likely to do or what is likely to happen, as misusing "likely" may lead to the absolute certainty error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probable

Indicates a high degree of probability, similar to "likely" but can be perceived as slightly more formal.

in all probability

More formal and emphatic way of saying "likely", stressing the high degree of probability.

expected

Suggests anticipation based on prior knowledge or patterns, implying a slightly stronger degree of certainty than "likely".

it is to be expected

Focuses on the anticipation of an event based on circumstances, rather than a simple probability.

liable

Indicates a tendency or susceptibility, often to something undesirable; carries a slightly negative connotation compared to "likely".

apt to

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination, similar to "likely" but with a nuance of inherent predisposition.

chances are

More informal way of expressing probability, suitable for casual conversation.

one can anticipate

Emphasizes the act of foreseeing or predicting an event, making it more about the observer's perspective.

prone to

Implies a vulnerability or susceptibility to something, often negative, distinguishing it from the more neutral "likely".

foreseeable

Focuses on the ability to predict an outcome based on current information, implying a clear line of sight to the future.

FAQs

How can I use "likely" in a sentence?

Use "likely" to express a probability or expectation. For example, "It is "likely" to rain tomorrow" suggests that rain is probable but not certain.

What can I say instead of "likely"?

You can use alternatives like "probable", "expected", or "in all probability" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "likely" or "liable"?

"Likely" generally expresses probability, while "liable" suggests a negative consequence. For instance, "He is "likely" to succeed" is different from "He is "liable" to make mistakes".

What's the difference between "likely" and "possibly"?

"Likely" indicates a higher degree of probability than "possibly". If something is "likely", it has a good chance of happening; if it's "possibly", it merely has some chance, however small. For example "It is "likely" to be sunny" is different to "It is "possibly" sunny".