likely pay for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely pay for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the probability of someone covering a cost or expense in a particular situation. Example: "If the project goes over budget, the company will likely pay for the additional expenses incurred."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

As companies grow, they will most likely pay for and upgrade to premium versions.

The New York Times

Our system will most likely pay for itself in the next two to three years.

The New York Times - Science

Kit Wilkinson This is public assistance, and it is appropriate to factor in considerations such as public health, especially since the public will likely pay for recipients' health care, as well.

The New York Times

He said that P. C. Richard and other companies had already offered to buy the site at almost twice its appraised value, which is what the board would most likely pay for it.

The New York Times

"We have learned the lesson that the music industry didn't learn: give people what they want, when they want it, in the form they want it in, at a reasonable price, and they'll more likely pay for it rather than steal it.

The Guardian

I think we have demonstrated that we have learned the lesson that the music industry didn't learn: Give people what they want – when they want it — in the form they want it in — at a reasonable price — and they'll more likely pay for it rather than steal it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"The shareholders who have lived through quite a bit of pain have their stock taken away for quite a bit less than they likely paid for it".

The New York Times

But the main issue for bundle opponents in Washington and among consumer advocates is that while an expanded basic package offers subscribers a smorgasbord of programming for a single fee, they are most likely paying for channels they never watch.

The New York Times - Sports

Moody's, a ratings agency, says it will need to spend an additional 30 billion-40 billion yuan ($4.8 billion-6.4 billion-6.4 billionly paid for by borrowing.This huge outlay and the unwelcomostocus on refining run counter to Mr Fu's strategy.

The Economist

In some cases, the cost of driving the vehicle is double the amount the owner likely paid for it.

Forbes

Data also shows that GTT/nLayer (AS4436) was once connected to multiple networks and likely paying for connections to Tier 1 networks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about future projects or investments, use "likely pay for" to indicate a reasonable expectation of covering associated expenses, highlighting potential financial benefits or returns. This adds a layer of confidence and credibility to your forecast.

Common error

Avoid using "likely pay for" when the situation is highly uncertain. Overstating the likelihood of covering costs can mislead readers and undermine the reliability of your projections. Instead, use more cautious language to reflect the true level of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely pay for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a probable future action related to covering costs. It's commonly used to express an expectation that someone will be responsible for payment, as demonstrated by the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

19%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely pay for" is a versatile expression indicating a reasonable expectation of covering expenses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki articles. While maintaining a generally neutral register, it conveys probability without absolute certainty. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the actual level of assurance and avoids overstating facts. Alternatives such as "probably cover the cost of" or "expected to finance" can provide nuanced variations to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably cover the cost of

Uses "cover the cost of" instead of "pay for", emphasizing the act of covering expenses with a higher degree of probability.

expected to finance

Replaces "likely pay" with "expected to finance", indicating an anticipation or formal expectation of financial coverage.

anticipated to fund

Emphasizes the aspect of funding, suggesting the provision of resources, with a sense of expectation.

presumed to bear the expenses

Formally conveys the idea of taking on financial responsibility, highlighting the assumption of covering costs.

projected to shoulder the costs

Suggests that the costs will be borne or supported, emphasizing a projection or forecast.

will probably be responsible for payment

Expands the phrase to explicitly state responsibility for payment with a probability indicator.

liable to cover the charges

Introduces a sense of obligation or legal responsibility for covering the charges.

inclined to settle the bill

Implies a willingness or tendency to pay the bill, softening the certainty.

may be billed for

Focuses on the action of being billed, indicating a possibility rather than a likelihood of payment.

potentially compensate for

Highlights the possibility of providing compensation, suggesting a redress or reimbursement.

FAQs

How can I use "likely pay for" in a sentence?

You can use "likely pay for" to express the probability that someone will cover the cost of something. For example: "If the project goes over budget, the company will "likely pay for" the additional expenses incurred."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "likely pay for"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "probably cover the cost of", "expected to finance", or "anticipated to fund" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "likely pay for"?

Yes, the phrase ""likely pay for"" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate a probable payment.

What's the difference between "likely pay for" and "certain to pay for"?

"Likely pay for" suggests a high probability but not a certainty, while "certain to pay for" indicates a definite and assured payment. The choice depends on the level of assurance you want to convey.