likely natural

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely natural" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is probably or seemingly natural in its characteristics or behavior. Example: "The behavior of the animal in its habitat appeared to be likely natural, as it exhibited instincts typical of its species."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

More likely, natural progression.

The New York Times

Blubbering during a Nick Nolte film, where he plays a bank robber who rescues a little girl from an orphanage... that was less likely natural.

The Guardian - Music

The most likely natural phenomenon that could block that much light from the star is the collision of comets producing huge clouds of obscuring dust.

The Guardian

Tabetha Boyajian, Yale University, led the investigations into the mysterious signals and found that the most likely natural cause was the break-up of a comet around the star.

The Guardian

Researchers later found that Pteropus fruit bats are Nipah's most likely natural reservoir (Science, 28 July 2000 p. 518).

Science Magazine

Nevertheless, the apparent increase in elevation is more likely natural changes because it is not realistic to fill up the cracked surface for the repair purpose.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Based on these observations, it is likely that natural yeast strains may have the capability to tolerate multiple stresses, possibly due to the fact that natural yeasts are constantly exposed to environmental fluctuations in their habitats.

AMB Express

The conversions would cost about $30,000 a truck, and companies would most likely use natural gas-powered trucks for local shipping, enabling their trucks to be refueled at a home base equipped with natural gas infrastructure.

The New York Times

The official position of the O.G.S. is that the Prague earthquakes were likely a natural event and that there is insufficient evidence to say that most earthquakes in Oklahoma are the result of disposal wells.

The New Yorker

In the Bloom Box case, that will most likely be natural gas.

Forbes

Unit exceeded consensus profit estimates in the last two quarters, and more upside surprises seem likely if natural gas prices remain near current levels.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scientific phenomena, use "likely natural" to suggest a probable, but not definitively proven, origin or cause.

Common error

Avoid using "likely natural" when definitive proof exists; instead, opt for stronger terms like "definitely natural" or "undoubtedly natural".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely natural" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a probable or expected natural state or origin. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "likely natural" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that expresses a probable, yet not definitive, natural state or origin. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating a plausible explanation or attribution. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct. While alternative phrases such as "probably natural" or "seemingly natural" exist, "likely natural" maintains a distinct nuance suitable for objective and precise communication. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid overstating certainty and to choose stronger terms when definitive proof exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably natural

Replaces "likely" with "probably", indicating a high degree of certainty.

presumably natural

Implies that something is natural based on an assumption.

seemingly natural

Emphasizes the appearance of being natural, possibly with underlying uncertainty.

apparently natural

Highlights that something is natural based on available evidence.

plausibly natural

Indicates that something is natural within the realm of possibility.

ostensibly natural

Suggests that something is natural on the surface but might not be upon closer inspection.

credibly natural

Stresses the believability of something being natural.

feasibly natural

Highlights the practicality or possibility of something being natural.

conceivably natural

Suggests that something is natural within the realm of what is imaginable.

potentially natural

Indicates the possibility of something being natural in the future or under certain conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely natural" to describe something that appears to be a result of natural processes. For example, "The scientists concluded that the phenomenon was a "likely natural" occurrence rather than a manufactured event."

What's the difference between "likely natural" and "probably natural"?

"Likely natural" and "probably natural" are very similar, but "likely" suggests a slightly higher degree of possibility based on available evidence. "Probably" implies a general sense of something being more true than not.

What are some alternatives to saying "likely natural"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "seemingly natural", "apparently natural", or "ostensibly natural", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "likely natural" in formal writing?

Yes, "likely natural" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific or analytical contexts where you want to express a probability without making a definitive claim. The phrase is grammatically correct and widely understood.