likely to develop into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to develop into" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility or probability of something evolving or changing into another form or state. Example: "The small project is likely to develop into a larger initiative if we receive additional funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Moeen Ali's innings at Headingley was near enough perfection, and he now looks likely to develop into a front-line spinner.

The Guardian - Sport

Neuroscientific evidence accumulated in recent decades indicates that adolescence is the time of life when drug use is most likely to develop into addiction.

The New York Times

They note the societal effects of obesity, with poorer people most likely to be affected, and overweight children more likely to develop into obese adults, increasing their risk of cancer and other diseases.

The Guardian

Without leadership from the government to deliver what everyone agrees needs to happen, it is likely to develop into a disaster of such a size that it is likely to overwhelm the NHS.

The Guardian - Opinion

Economists rarely agree on anything, but a great many do agree on one unfortunate matter these days: the current economic downturn is likely to develop into the worst recession since the downturn of 1981-82.

The New York Times

So far as they could, they bought goods and services of a Roman sort and generally attracted concentrations of people likely to develop into cities of a Roman sort.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Raised moles are especially-likely to develop into melanoma.

WikiHow

While developing countries face major challenges in attaining the goal of universal health care, PHI is playing a role in many emerging systems and is likely to develop further into the future under a mix of financing arrangements.

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

People who lead an active lifestyle are up to a third less likely to develop polyps which can develop into bowel cancer, according to a study.

BBC

The more intellectual challenges to the brain early in life, the more neurons and connections the brain is likely to develop and perhaps maintain into later years.

The New York Times - Health

The type of people most likely to develop stress habits fall into two basic groups.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likely to develop into", ensure the subject is capable of the transformation described. For instance, "the small seed is likely to develop into a large tree" is appropriate, while "the rock is likely to develop into a tree" is not.

Common error

Avoid using "likely to develop into" when the outcome is highly uncertain or speculative. Using it implies a reasonable probability, so ensure the context supports this level of confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to develop into" functions as a predictive verb phrase. It combines an adverbial modifier of probability ("likely") with a verb of change ("develop") and a preposition indicating direction or result ("into"). This construction is used to express the probability of a subject transforming or evolving into a different state, condition, or form, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely to develop into" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating the probability of future transformation or evolution. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct. Its usage spans across various domains, particularly in news, science, and general informational contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the subject is capable of the transformation being described and to avoid overstating the certainty of the outcome. Remember alternatives like "prone to evolve into" or "has the potential to become" can offer nuanced differences in meaning. Overall, mastering the use of "likely to develop into" enhances precision in expressing predictions and potential future states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone to evolve into

Focuses more on a natural tendency towards a specific development.

apt to transform into

Highlights the transformation aspect of the development.

has the potential to become

Emphasizes the unrealized possibility of future development.

predicted to mature into

Implies a forecast or expectation of future growth.

anticipated to progress into

Suggests a forward movement or advancement towards a state.

expected to morph into

Conveys a more drastic change or alteration in the future.

liable to transition into

Highlights a phase shift or a change from one stage to another.

set to grow into

Signifies a planned or destined evolution.

projected to turn into

Focuses on forecasting or anticipating the change.

estimated to become

Emphasizes the calculative or approximate nature of the future development.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely to develop into" to express that something has a good chance of evolving or transforming into something else. For example, "The unstable situation is "likely to develop into" a crisis if no action is taken."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "prone to evolve into", "apt to transform into", or "has the potential to become", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "likely to develop in" instead of "likely to develop into"?

While "develop in" suggests growth or progress within a specific area or context, "likely to develop into" implies a transformation or evolution toward a different state or form. The two are not interchangeable.

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

"Likely to develop into" suggests a probability based on current circumstances, while "expected to develop into" implies a prediction or anticipation, often based on prior knowledge or analysis. For example: "Due to the weather conditions, the storm is "likely to develop into" a hurricane". "Analysts "expected to develop into" the next big technology hub".