likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

"likely to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express a possibility or expectation that something will happen in the future. For example: "It is likely to rain tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're likely to disappear".

The New York Times

More are likely to.

The Economist

Not likely to.

The New Yorker

Not likely to remember?

The New York Times - Health

Likely: Likely to die.

The New York Times

Likely to win.

The New Yorker

was likely to face.

The New Yorker

"That's likely to persist.

The New York Times

She's not likely to panic.

The New York Times

Not likely to happen, though.

The New York Times

It's not likely to prevail".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, choose "likely to" to convey a sense of anticipation or potential outcome without making a definitive statement.

Common error

While "likely to" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "expected to" or "anticipated to" for a more authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the probability or expectation of a future event or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in expressing possibilities. Example: "They're "likely to" disappear".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts, "likely to" serves as a versatile tool for conveying assessments of potential outcomes. To enhance your writing, remember to consider stronger alternatives like "expected to" in more formal settings. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively utilize "likely to" to express probabilities with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to

Conveys an anticipation or prediction, similar to the sense of expectation in "likely to".

predicted to

More strongly suggests a forecast or calculated probability.

prone to

Expresses a tendency or inclination towards something, similar to "likely to" but often implying a negative outcome.

anticipated to

Indicates a foreseen outcome, closely aligning with the predictive aspect of "likely to".

liable to

Indicates a possibility or risk, similar to "likely to" but often used in the context of legal or formal situations.

presumed to

Suggests an assumption based on evidence or probability, similar to the implication of "likely to".

apt to

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination, offering a slightly different nuance than "likely to".

inclined to

Expresses a predisposition or willingness, which is similar to a possible outcome implied by "likely to".

disposed to

Similar to "inclined to", but suggests a more settled or inherent tendency.

certain to

Expresses a higher degree of confidence or assurance than "likely to".

FAQs

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

"Likely to" is used to indicate a probability or expectation of something happening. For example, "It is "likely to" rain tomorrow" suggests that rain is probable.

What are some alternatives to "likely to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "expected to", "prone to", or "liable to".

Which is correct: "likely to" or "likely that"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they are used differently. "Likely to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "It's likely to rain"), while "likely that" is followed by a clause (e.g., "It's likely that it will rain").

What is the difference between "likely to" and "certain to"?

"Likely to" indicates a probability or expectation, whereas "certain to" suggests a much higher degree of confidence or assurance. "Likely to" implies that something has a good chance of happening, but it isn't guaranteed.