likely that

USAGE SUMMARY

"likely that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making an inference or predicting a probability, for example: "It is likely that the weather will be sunny tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most likely that won't happen against the Jets.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not sure how likely that is.

TechCrunch

Likely, that would be called Moving Capital.

TechCrunch

Most likely, that was not by chance.

Los Angeles Times

"I thought likely that was it.

The New Yorker

It is thought likely that the Pres.

The New Yorker

It appears likely that Macarthur convinced Maj.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's likely that multiple mechanisms are involved.

Harvard University

It's likely that he does not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It seems likely that they will be.

The New York Times - Arts

It seems likely that it won't.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely that" to introduce statements of probability based on evidence or informed assumptions. Ensure the context supports the likelihood being expressed.

Common error

Avoid using "likely that" when expressing near certainties or established facts. Opt for more definitive language in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely that" functions as a modal adjunct, introducing a degree of probability or possibility to a statement. It connects a subject with a predicate, indicating that the predicate is probable given the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely that" is a versatile phrase used to express probability or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. When using "likely that", ensure that the degree of certainty aligns with the evidence available and avoid overstating claims. Consider alternatives like "probably that" or "it is probable that" for nuanced expression. With a high expert rating and frequent usage in authoritative sources, mastering the use of "likely that" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably that

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

it is probable that

Adds a formal tone by explicitly stating the probability.

it is plausible that

Suggests something is believable or could be true, but without strong evidence.

it is reasonable to assume that

Introduces an assumption based on available information.

chances are that

Uses an informal expression to indicate a good possibility.

it's anticipated that

Implies an expectation based on prior knowledge or planning.

it would appear that

Suggests something is evident from observations.

it seems that

Introduces an observation or impression.

one can expect that

Highlights an expectation based on typical circumstances.

the expectation is that

Formally states the anticipated outcome.

FAQs

How do I use "likely that" in a sentence?

Use "likely that" to introduce a clause expressing a prediction or expectation based on current evidence. For example, "It is "likely that" the meeting will be postponed."

What are some alternatives to "likely that"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "probably that", "it is probable that", or "chances are that".

Is it grammatically correct to say "likely that"?

Yes, "likely that" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal writing to express probability or expectation.

How does "likely that" differ from "possible that"?

"Likely that" suggests a higher degree of probability than "possible that". "Possible that" simply indicates something could happen, whereas "likely that" suggests it is more probable than not.