likely to become

USAGE SUMMARY

"likely to become" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is expected to happen or become true in the future. For example: "He is likely to become a successful businessman."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are likely to become less so.

The Economist

This mess is likely to become messier.

The Economist

The work is likely to become harder.

The New York Times

Nor are they likely to become supermodels.

Independent

The issue is likely to become politicised.

The Economist

Least likely to: Become pandrogens.

The Guardian - Music

Both are likely to become collector's items.

The Guardian

It is likely to become rougher.

The New York Times

Most likely to: Become a sitcom star.

The Guardian

Least likely to: Become an electrician.

The Guardian - Music

Are they likely to become successful?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely to become" to express a reasonable expectation based on current trends or conditions. For example, "Given the current growth rate, the company is "likely to become" a market leader."

Common error

Avoid using "likely to become" when the outcome is highly uncertain or speculative. Opt for phrases that convey more doubt, such as "might become" or "could potentially become".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to become" functions as a modal adjunct that modifies a verb, indicating the probability of a future event or state. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something that is expected to happen or become true in the future. Examples show it used to predict outcomes based on current trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely to become" is a versatile phrase used to express a reasonable expectation or prediction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts. This phrase, as evidenced by its frequent use in news, science, and formal business domains, suggests a neutral register that suits both general and specialized discussions. Remember to use "likely to become" when the outcome is probable but not certain, and consider alternative phrases to vary your writing and precisely reflect the level of assurance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bound to be

Suggests inevitability or a very high probability.

apt to be

Implies a natural inclination or suitability.

prone to be

Focuses on inherent tendency rather than expectation.

poised to develop into

Indicates readiness or a state of preparation for development.

inclined to turn into

Highlights the direction of change or transformation.

set to grow into

Highlights a planned or determined path of growth.

expected to transform into

Emphasizes an anticipated change or evolution.

anticipated to transition to

Focuses on the expected shift or change in condition.

predicted to evolve into

Focuses on a forecast or projection about future development.

on track to maturing into

Suggests progress along a defined path towards maturity.

FAQs

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

Use "likely to become" to suggest a probable future state. For example, "With continued effort, she is "likely to become" a successful doctor."

What are some alternatives to "likely to become"?

You can use alternatives like "prone to be", "apt to be", or "expected to be" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "likely to become" or "will likely become"?

"Likely to become" is generally more concise and grammatically preferred. "Will likely become" is also acceptable, but can sound slightly less formal.

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

"Likely to become" indicates a high probability but not a guarantee, while "certain to become" suggests inevitability. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of certainty.