likely situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario or condition that is probable or expected to occur. Example: "In a likely situation, we would see an increase in sales during the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sky do not like having joint leaders, so the most likely situation would be that one of the two would be appointed leader and the other kept back as Plan B, as was the case in 2012.

The Guardian - Sport

But the more likely situation in the near future is something that feels nothing like the polish of Spielberg or even the slick predictability of television — something a lot more homemade, younger, sillier and cruder.

The New York Times - Magazine

The most likely situation that could cause private information to leak from services like Facebook, isn't the FBI hacking into your profile, it's a friend, family member or spouse who accesses your account through a smartphone or computer.

Independent

The most likely situation is this.

The New York Times

One couldn't imagine a less likely situation.

The New York Times

That may be the more likely situation, someday.

The New York Times

A far less likely situation involves losses by multiple teams.

The New York Times - Sports

The more likely situation, all admitted, would involve someone with far less name recognition.

The New York Times - Sports

That seemed the least likely situation for the Cardinals' ace to make such a glaring mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the more likely situation is losses rather than gains for Democrats, based on the historical record.

The New York Times

The report also asserted that the Pentagon had not even scheduled a test involving multiple targets, the likely situation in an attack.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing future scenarios, use "likely situation" to convey a sense of probability based on current information. This helps set expectations and plan accordingly.

Common error

Avoid using "likely situation" when the outcome is highly uncertain. Opt for phrases like "possible scenario" or "potential situation" to reflect the ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely situation" functions as a noun phrase with an adjectival modifier, 'likely', describing a scenario or condition that is probable or expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "likely situation" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a scenario that is probable or expected. Ludwig AI validates its frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While "likely situation" is generally suitable for both formal and informal communication, it’s important to avoid overstating certainty and consider alternative phrases like "possible scenario" when the outcome is less predictable. By understanding its function, purpose, and common errors, writers can effectively use "likely situation" to convey probability and set appropriate expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probable scenario

Replaces "likely" with "probable", emphasizing the chance of occurrence in a given set of events.

expected circumstance

Uses "expected" to suggest anticipation or predictability of the situation.

plausible event

Focuses on the believability or credibility of the event.

realistic possibility

Highlights that the situation is within the bounds of what could actually happen.

conceivable outcome

Emphasizes the possibility that the situation can be imagined or thought of.

potential development

Suggests a future unfolding of events that is possible.

most probable case

Uses "case" to refer to a specific instance and stresses its high likelihood.

foreseeable circumstance

Highlights that the situation is predictable and can be anticipated.

credible prospect

Focuses on the believability and possibility of the future event.

reasonable expectation

Indicates that the situation is a logical and justified anticipation.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely situation" to describe a scenario that is probable based on available information. For example, "The "likely situation" is that job growth will slow in coming months."

What phrases are similar to "likely situation"?

Alternatives include "probable scenario", "expected circumstance", or "realistic possibility", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "likely situation" and "possible situation"?

"Likely situation" suggests a higher probability than "possible situation". The former indicates a greater chance of occurrence based on current knowledge, while the latter simply suggests something could happen.

When should I use "most likely situation" versus "likely situation"?

"Most likely situation" should be used when emphasizing that a particular scenario has the highest probability compared to other alternatives. "Likely situation" can be used when simply indicating a scenario that is probable.