likely could

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely could" is not considered standard in written English and may be seen as redundant.
It can be used in informal contexts where you want to express a possibility or potential action, but it's better to choose clearer alternatives. Example: "They likely could finish the project on time if they work together."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their book fills lacunas with words like "perhaps," "it is possible," "likely," "could have," and so on.

The New York Times - Books

And the answer is, it likely could be more usable.

The Guardian

At the same time, syn3.0 is not as minimal as it likely could be.

The New Yorker

The company should be pressured to improve working conditions, and likely could pay its workers more.

The Guardian - Opinion

Therefore, he said, many sales made to Samsung most likely could have gone to Apple.

The New York Times

The union provided many benefits that I most likely could not have attained on my own.

The New York Times

(The one actor who likely could have stood his ground with Wright and Peet is Robert Downey, Jr).

The New Yorker

"I likely could have developed it at a cable network with more time, more budget," he said of the show.

The New Yorker

A finish in the mid-to-high teens, meanwhile, which remains mathematically possible although not likely, could revitalize his campaign.

The New York Times

But if he is seen aiding the foreign invaders he quite likely could be murdered by local extremists.

The New York Times - Arts

After the defense offers its justification for the shooting, which quite likely could take longer than the prosecution's direct case, the prosecution will rebut it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "likely could" is acceptable in informal contexts, be aware that some readers might find it slightly redundant. Re-evaluate whether both words are necessary to convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid stacking too many modal verbs together. While "likely could" isn't strictly incorrect, it can sometimes make your writing sound hesitant or uncertain. Choose stronger verbs or rephrase to convey confidence in your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely could" functions as a modal phrase, expressing possibility and probability. As Ludwig AI mentions, it's not always considered standard, but it is commonly used to indicate a good chance of something happening. Many examples point to expressing actions that are realistically achievable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely could" is a common phrase used to express a moderate to high probability of something being possible. While Ludwig AI points out it may be considered somewhat redundant, its prevalence across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Science, demonstrates its acceptability in many contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "probably can" or "it is probable that" for greater precision. Be mindful of overusing modal verbs and aim for clarity in your writing. The analysis highlights that while grammatically acceptable, conscious use is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably can

Replaces "likely" with "probably", indicating a strong likelihood.

very likely can

Adds emphasis with "very", increasing the certainty.

most likely can

Similar to "very likely", but with a slightly different emphasis.

conceivably can

Indicates possibility rather than probability; less certain.

potentially can

Highlights the potential for something to happen.

might be able to

Replaces "could" with "might be able to", indicating a lower probability.

may be able to

Similar to "might be able to", expressing a possibility.

it is probable that

A more formal way of expressing likelihood.

there's a good chance

An informal expression indicating a high probability.

it's plausible that

Suggests something is believable or reasonable.

FAQs

What does "likely could" mean?

The phrase "likely could" suggests a moderate to high probability that something is able to happen or be true. It combines the sense of probability from "likely" with the possibility from "could".

Is it redundant to say "likely could"?

Some consider "likely could" somewhat redundant, as both words suggest possibility. However, it's commonly used in speech and writing to emphasize the probability of a possibility. Consider alternatives such as "probably can" or "may be able to".

What are some alternatives to "likely could"?

You can use alternatives like "probably can", "potentially can", or "it is probable that" depending on the context and level of formality.

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

Use "likely could" when you want to express that something has a good chance of happening or being true. For example, "They "likely could" finish the project on time if they work together."