likely to expand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to expand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for growth or increase in size, scope, or influence in various contexts. Example: "The company's market share is likely to expand in the coming years due to increased demand for its products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This programme is likely to expand.

The Economist

Nor, however, is it likely to expand their horizons.

The Guardian - Film

But the case is likely to expand beyond Mr. Farkas.

The New York Times

Regardless of who wins on Saturday, that spotlight seems likely to expand.

The New York Times - Sports

"But we do believe corporate profits are likely to expand nicely".

The New York Times

Nevertheless, the economy seems likely to expand at a moderate pace over coming quarters.

The New York Times

Of course, it would also be likely to expand our disposal society.

The New York Times

"Going forward", the statement said, "the economy seems likely to expand at a moderate pace".

The Economist

Silicon Valley's lobbying efforts are also likely to expand across the Atlantic in 2013.

The New York Times - Tech

But Mr. Booker is likely to expand Newark's high-performing charter schools.

The New York Times

China's economy is likely to expand by 6.5% in 2009 compared with 13% in 2007.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely to expand" when you want to convey a reasonable expectation of growth or increase based on current trends or available information. Avoid overuse by varying with synonyms like "expected to grow" or "projected to increase" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "likely to expand" when you want to express absolute certainty. The phrase implies a degree of uncertainty, so if the expansion is guaranteed, use stronger terms such as "will expand" or "is certain to expand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to expand" primarily functions as a modal phrase indicating a probability or expectation regarding future growth or increase. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in various contexts, affirming its role in expressing likelihood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely to expand" is a common and versatile expression used to convey the expectation of growth or increase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While "likely to expand" suggests a reasonable expectation, it's important to consider the context and use stronger terms when expressing absolute certainty. Remember that synonyms like ""expected to grow"" and ""projected to increase"" can provide nuanced alternatives to avoid repetition and improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to grow

Uses "expected" instead of "likely", emphasizing anticipation of growth.

projected to increase

Replaces "likely" with "projected", suggesting a forecast based on data.

anticipated to develop

Substitutes "expand" with "develop", indicating a more complex or gradual growth.

poised to enlarge

Uses "poised" and "enlarge" for a more formal and emphatic tone.

set to broaden

Replaces "expand" with "broaden", highlighting an increase in scope or range.

apt to extend

Uses "apt" instead of "likely", suggesting a natural tendency to extend.

liable to spread

Emphasizes the potential for dissemination or propagation.

prone to escalate

Suggests a tendency towards rapid or significant increase.

with the potential for growth

Expresses the concept as a potential rather than a likelihood.

has a good chance of increasing

Conveys the possibility of increment with the word chance instead of expand

FAQs

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

You can use "likely to expand" to describe something with a good chance of growing or increasing. For example, "The company's market share is "likely to expand" in the next quarter."

What are some alternatives to "likely to expand"?

Alternatives include "expected to grow", "projected to increase", or "anticipated to develop" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "likely to expanding"?

No, the correct form is "likely to expand". The infinitive form of the verb should be used after "to".

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

"Likely to expand" implies a reasonable expectation based on current information, while "certain to expand" suggests a guaranteed outcome. The latter conveys a stronger degree of certainty.