likely because

USAGE SUMMARY

'likely because' is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is used when you are making an educated guess as to why something might have occurred or be the case. For example, "The interview went well, likely because I had well-researched the company beforehand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The same confusion arises likely because "expansion phase onset" sounds like the start of poleward expansion.

Earth, Planets and Space

Or, more likely, because of it.

The New York Times - Books

Most likely because that's cheap to film.

The Guardian - Film

Pythium were infrequently detected likely because of soil handling effects.

Acta Oecologica

The way I do, likely because of her.

Cornell University

Reem's seasickness was particularly acute, likely because of her pregnancy.

The New Yorker

It is very likely, because the price is free".

The New York Times

Hiring was weak in September, likely because of Hurricane Florence.

The Washington Post

No other shortages appear likely because of surpluses on hand.

The New York Times

That is most likely because they are not sure either.

The New York Times

Mixing improved with decreasing impeller speed, likely because fibre networks re-established more rapidly.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely because" when you have a strong reason to believe something is the cause, but cannot definitively prove it. It's suitable for expressing informed speculation.

Common error

Avoid using "likely because" when you have concrete evidence. Opt for phrases that indicate certainty, such as "certainly because" or "definitely because" if the cause-and-effect relationship is firmly established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely because" functions as a causal connector, linking an event or situation to its probable cause. It introduces an explanation that is considered the most plausible, but not definitively proven. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in suggesting reasoned explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely because" serves as a useful phrase to introduce a probable cause or explanation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and widely employed, particularly in scientific, journalistic, and academic contexts. While its usage is frequent, it's crucial to remember that it conveys a degree of uncertainty. Therefore, consider more decisive alternatives like "due to" or "as a result of" when stronger causal links can be established. This phrase is adaptable for conveying informed speculation in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably due to

Replaces "likely" with "probably", emphasizing a high probability of the cause.

the reason for this is probably

Directly states the intention to provide a likely explanation.

most likely as a result of

Adds emphasis to the consequence of the stated cause.

presumably owing to

Introduces a sense of presumption or assumption about the cause.

this is attributable to

Formally assigns the cause or origin of something.

it is plausible that this is due to

Suggests a reasonable possibility for the stated reason.

one possible explanation is

Presents the reason as one of several potential explanations.

it can be inferred that

Highlights the process of drawing a conclusion based on evidence.

this suggests that

Implies a causal relationship rather than stating it directly.

a potential cause could be

Specifies the reason as a potential cause.

FAQs

How can I use "likely because" in a sentence?

"Likely because" is used to introduce a probable reason or cause for something. For example, "The game was postponed, "likely because" of the heavy rain."

What are some alternatives to using "likely because"?

You can use alternatives like "probably due to", "most likely as a result of", or "presumably owing to" depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "likely because" in formal writing?

While "likely because" is generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider using more precise or stronger causal connectors to enhance the credibility of your writing. Alternatives like "due to" or "as a result of" might be preferable in some cases.

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

"Likely because" suggests a higher degree of probability compared to "possibly because". "Possibly because" indicates a more speculative or uncertain reason.