likely next year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely next year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a prediction or estimation about an event or occurrence that is expected to happen in the following year. Example: "The new product launch is likely next year, depending on the development timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

That makes a flotation all the more likely next year, perhaps triggering bonus shares for customers like me.

Independent

But, with an election likely next year, neither was uppermost in Mr Brown's mind.

The Economist

It will not be easy: deflation annual falls in consumer prices is increasingly likely next year.

The Economist

The money is to be allocated by Sept. 30, with more likely next year.

The New York Times

A deal with Singapore is likely next year, and will be seen as a benchmark by other interested countries.

The Economist

Several more such filings are likely next year, said Diane Vazza, head of global fixed-income research for Standard & Poor's.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

That is likely early next year.

The Economist

A détente did not appear likely earlier this year.

The New York Times

More such oral dissents are likely next week.

The New York Times

But that scenario appeared less likely yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

Snow would have been more likely several centuries ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely next year" to convey a reasonable expectation of something occurring in the upcoming year, but acknowledge that it is not a certainty. Provide context to support your assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "likely next year" when the event is merely a possibility or hope, rather than a realistic expectation. Instead of saying something is "likely next year", when the basis for the likelihood is just a weak wish, use terms that express weaker certainty, such as "possibly", "potentially", or "maybe".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely next year" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an event is expected to occur. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently used to express an expected timeframe.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely next year" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating a reasonable expectation for an event to happen in the upcoming year. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and used across multiple domains, with a particularly high frequency in news and media. When using this phrase, remember to provide context to support the expectation, and avoid overstating the certainty of the event. Alternatives like "probably next year" or ""expected next year"" can offer slight nuances in meaning depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Probably next year

Replaces "likely" with a more common synonym, "probably", maintaining the same level of certainty.

Expected next year

Substitutes "likely" with "expected", implying a stronger basis for the prediction.

Anticipated next year

Similar to "expected" but carries a sense of looking forward to the event.

Projected for next year

Suggests a formal estimation or forecast for the next year.

Foreseen for next year

Indicates that the event has been predicted or anticipated in advance.

Envisaged for next year

Similar to foreseen, with a slight emphasis on the mental image or concept.

On the cards for next year

An idiomatic expression suggesting a high probability or likelihood.

Tipped for next year

Suggests that the event is considered a likely outcome based on inside information.

Rumored for next year

Indicates that the event is being discussed or speculated about, but not confirmed.

Scheduled for next year

Implies that there's a provisional timetable or plan, but not a guarantee.

FAQs

What does "likely next year" mean?

The phrase "likely next year" suggests that something is probable or expected to happen in the year following the current one. It indicates a degree of confidence, but not absolute certainty.

How can I use "likely next year" in a sentence?

You can use "likely next year" to describe events, trends, or changes that are anticipated to occur in the coming year. For instance, "The company's expansion is "expected next year", making it "a promising investment"".

What are some alternatives to "likely next year"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "probably next year", ""expected next year"", "anticipated next year", or "projected for next year", depending on the specific context and level of certainty you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very likely next year"?

While not strictly redundant, "very likely next year" can be seen as emphasizing the likelihood. However, using just "likely next year" is generally sufficient unless you need to strongly emphasize the probability.