likely that when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely that when" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or event that is expected to occur at a specific time or under certain conditions, but it needs to be restructured for clarity. Example: "It is likely that when the meeting starts, we will have a clearer understanding of the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seems likely that, when these conventions are no longer useful, he will move on.

The New Yorker

But it seems likely that, when we look back on this week, we will see it as a turning point.

The New Yorker

It is likely that when he gets around to producing a whole grain loaf, it'll be better than mine.

The New York Times

This makes it much more likely that, when the time is right, she will get married and stay that way.

The Economist

10 Ironically, it seems likely that, when all is said and done, there will be few instances indeed in which defenses can be deemed unrelated to factual innocence.

Cornell University

The rise of Republican power in Congress makes it likely that when that turn comes, the choice will be a smaller program rather than more revenue.

Princeton University

It is very likely that when the committee finishes dissecting each team's body of work, it will choose the midmajors' sound ones over the power conferences' troubled ones.

The New York Times - Sports

It seems likely that when Bush steps down, total U.S. public debt will be in the neighborhood of seventy per cent of annual G.D.P.

The New Yorker

In a few weeks' time, it seems likely that When the Sun Goes Down, the third single by Arctic Monkeys, will follow its predecessor straight to number one.

The Guardian - Music

The Referendum Party is contesting over 500, yet it seems likely that, when the allocations are published next week, it will be given only one broadcast.

The Economist

Having a financial buffer will make it more likely that when you find something meaningful, you'll be able to act on it.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, restructure sentences using "likely that when". Consider alternatives like "it is likely that, when" or rephrasing to avoid the construction altogether. For example, instead of "It's likely that when it rains, the game will be cancelled," write "It is likely that the game will be cancelled when it rains."

Common error

Avoid using "likely that when" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. This construction is often seen as grammatically incorrect. Opt for clearer alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely that when" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to connect a probability assessment with a conditional clause. However, Ludwig AI indicates this construction is not grammatically sound in standard English, suggesting restructuring for clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely that when" is frequently encountered but grammatically dubious. Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect in standard written English, despite its common usage across various sources. While it appears in News & Media, Science, and Academia, its usage demands caution. Restructuring sentences to enhance clarity is advisable. As Ludwig examples show, rephrasing often leads to more precise and grammatically sound expressions, making communications more authoritative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probable that when

Replaces "likely" with "probable", indicating a similar degree of possibility but with a slightly different connotation.

in all likelihood, when

Emphasizes the high probability of an event with the phrase "in all likelihood".

it seems probable that when

Adds "seems" to soften the assertion, indicating a perception of probability rather than a certainty.

it is expected that when

Uses "expected" instead of "likely", suggesting a higher degree of anticipation or confidence in the event.

it is anticipated that when

Replaces "likely" with "anticipated", emphasizing the expectation of an event occurring at a specific time.

it is reasonable to assume that when

Introduces a sense of logical deduction or inference in predicting the event.

it is foreseeable that when

Uses "foreseeable" to suggest that the event can be predicted or anticipated based on current knowledge.

chances are that when

Employs the idiom "chances are" to indicate a probable outcome.

it is a good bet that when

Uses a more informal expression, "a good bet", to convey a high degree of probability.

it is quite possible that when

Softens the assertion by using "quite possible", indicating possibility without strong certainty.

FAQs

Is "likely that when" grammatically correct?

The phrase "likely that when" "is not correct" in standard written English. It's often better to restructure the sentence for clarity.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "likely that when"?

You can often improve clarity by rephrasing to use "It is likely that, when..." or by restructuring the sentence to avoid the phrase altogether. For example, change "It's likely that when it snows, school will be cancelled" to "It is likely that school will be cancelled when it snows" or "School will likely be cancelled if it snows".

What are some alternatives to "likely that when"?

Consider using alternatives such as "probable that when", "expected that when", or rephrasing the sentence to use "if" or "when" clauses more directly. For example, "in all likelihood when".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "likely that when"?

While commonly used, "likely that when" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It may be acceptable in informal speech, but "it is better to" avoid it in formal contexts.