likely to develop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to develop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a probability or expectation that something will grow or evolve in the future. Example: "The new technology is likely to develop into a standard practice in the industry over the next few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who is most likely to develop sepsis?

Harvard University

Sadly, those given betacarotene proved more likely to develop cancer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Women were about equally likely to develop symptoms or not.

Harvard University

He also admits that the plans are likely to develop.

Independent

Older delirium sufferers are more likely to develop dementia later.

The New York Times - Science

It does mean that contagion isn't likely to develop.

The Economist

That outlines the pattern likely to develop in forthcoming months.

The New York Times - Arts

"Smokers are 10 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers, two times more likely to develop heart disease.

The New York Times

Youth who have never set foot in museums aren't likely to develop a taste for them.

The New York Times

Students are more likely to develop their academic skills if they are doing paid work.

The Guardian

So it's not surprising that they are less likely to develop dementia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely to develop" to express a reasonable expectation or probability of growth, change, or progression in a particular context. Ensure that the subject and context clearly indicate what is expected to develop.

Common error

Avoid using "likely to develop" without clearly specifying what is expected to develop or without providing sufficient context. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and weaken the intended meaning. Always ensure that the subject and outcome are explicitly stated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to develop" functions as a descriptor of probability, suggesting a strong possibility that something will evolve or progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It is often used to describe potential future states or outcomes, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "likely to develop" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the probability of future growth or progression, confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is widely used across various domains, including news, academia, and science, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. While alternatives like "prone to developing" or "apt to develop" exist, "likely to develop" maintains a balance between formality and clarity. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly specifies what is expected to develop to avoid ambiguity. Due to its frequent usage in authoritative sources, mastering the use of "likely to develop" can significantly enhance writing clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone to developing

Emphasizes a predisposition or vulnerability towards development.

apt to develop

Indicates a natural tendency or likelihood of development.

liable to develop

Suggests a possibility of development, often with negative connotations.

has the potential to develop

Highlights the inherent capacity for development.

in danger of developing

Focuses on the risk associated with development.

with a high probability of developing

Quantifies the likelihood of development.

predicted to develop

Implies a forecast or expectation of development.

expected to develop

Suggests a reasonable anticipation of development.

tending to develop

Describes a current inclination towards development.

may well develop

Highlights the possibility of development.

FAQs

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

Use "likely to develop" to express a high probability of something occurring or progressing. For example, "The company is "likely to develop" new software this year".

What are some alternatives to saying "likely to develop"?

You can use alternatives like "prone to developing", "apt to develop", or "liable to develop" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "likely to be developed" instead of "likely to develop"?

"Likely to be developed" implies that something will be developed by an external force. "Likely to develop" suggests something will grow or progress on its own.

What's the difference between "likely to develop" and "going to develop"?

"Likely to develop" indicates a probability based on current conditions, while "going to develop" suggests a planned or intended action.