likely to continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to continue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected to persist or carry on in the future. Example: "The current trend in renewable energy is likely to continue as more countries commit to reducing carbon emissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This looks likely to continue.

Independent

Ambivalence is likely to continue.

The Economist

He's likely to continue that.

The New York Times

Sadly, that is likely to continue.

The New Yorker

These debates are likely to continue.

Independent

So the gripes are likely to continue.

The Economist

So the fighting is likely to continue.

The Economist

Myhill is likely to continue against Chelsea.

Independent

That trend looks likely to continue.

The Economist

The turmoil seems likely to continue.

The New York Times

And this looks likely to continue.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likely to continue", ensure the subject and context clearly indicate what is expected to persist. Clarity enhances the impact of your prediction.

Common error

Avoid using "likely to continue" when the outcome is highly uncertain or speculative. It's better to use more cautious language like "might continue" or "could continue" to reflect the ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to continue" functions as a verb phrase expressing a prediction or expectation about the persistence of a situation, trend, or activity. It indicates a perceived high probability of something not ceasing, supported by various examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely to continue" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a high probability or expectation that something will persist into the future. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and scientific discourse. While it's a common and acceptable expression, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overstatements and considering alternative phrasing for nuanced communication. Common alternatives include "expected to persist" or "predicted to go on". Therefore, mastering the usage of "likely to continue" can effectively enhance your writing across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to persist

Replaces "likely" with "expected" and "continue" with "persist", maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

predicted to go on

Substitutes "likely" with "predicted" and "continue" with "go on", suggesting a forecast or anticipation of ongoing action.

anticipated to proceed

Uses "anticipated" instead of "likely" and "proceed" instead of "continue", indicating a forward-looking expectation.

foreseen to carry on

Replaces "likely" with "foreseen" and "continue" with "carry on", emphasizing a sense of foresight or prediction.

projected to extend

Substitutes "likely" with "projected" and "continue" with "extend", suggesting a forecast of prolongation.

expected to endure

Uses "endure" in place of "continue" to convey an expectation of lasting or surviving.

presumed to hold

Replaces "likely" with "presumed" and "continue" with "hold", suggesting an assumption that a certain condition will remain valid.

poised to maintain

Indicates readiness for something to continue using "poised" and "maintain", suggesting stability.

set to uphold

Suggests a determination or plan to continue using "set" and "uphold", providing a sense of commitment.

tendency to remain

Uses "tendency" to focus on a natural inclination, changing to "remain" instead of "continue" suggesting an ongoing status.

FAQs

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

The phrase "likely to continue" is used to express an expectation that something will persist. For example, "Given the current trends, this pattern is likely to continue."

What are some alternatives to "likely to continue"?

You can use alternatives such as "expected to persist", "predicted to go on", or "anticipated to proceed" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "likely to continues"?

No, "likely to continues" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "likely to continue", where "continue" is the base form of the verb.

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

"Likely to continue" suggests a high probability but not a guarantee, while "certain to continue" implies a definitive and unwavering expectation. Use "certain to continue" only when the outcome is virtually assured.