likely to handle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to handle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the probability or expectation that someone or something will manage or deal with a particular situation or task. Example: "The new software is likely to handle the increased workload efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

That's a concern, the authors say, because teachers who consider themselves educators first are likely to handle potentially hot topics like evolution very differently than those who consider themselves scientists, the researchers posit.

Science Magazine

Republican Congressional leaders are likely to handle these proposals separately.

The New York Times

Put another way, computers are likely to handle the classic prisoner's dilemma better than humans.

The New Yorker

I'd be much more likely to handle it now – just to see how good I could have been.

The Guardian - Sport

Officials said the same unit of Internal Affairs investigators, known as Group 54, that handled the criminal investigation was likely to handle the upcoming administrative review.

The New York Times

The special prosecutor and special court likely to handle the terrorism case began operations only on Jan . 1of this year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

If you're in the U.S and the snake doesn't fit this these descriptions, the snake is likely safe to handle, but remember bites can still hurt even if they aren't poisonous.

WikiHow

For example, research suggests that police are less likely to properly handle a domestic violence situation in a same gender relationship.

Huffington Post

Children in general are more likely to deliberately handle explosive devices than adults, often unknowingly, out of curiosity or by mistaking them for toys.

Unicef

Our intra-dance angular scatter is most likely the easiest to handle for both potential recruits following the dance and biologists eavesdropping on the conversation: taking an average effectively reduces the intra-dance noise.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

Because medicinal tripping is so niche, he says it is more likely to be handled like any other new treatment seeking government approval.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likely to handle", ensure the subject is capable and the context supports the expectation of successful management. For instance, "Experienced managers are likely to handle crises effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "likely to handle" when certainty is required. Instead, use phrases like "will handle" or "is guaranteed to manage" for situations demanding assurance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to handle" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a probability or expectation that the subject will manage or deal with a particular situation or task. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely to handle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey an expectation or probability of managing a situation effectively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, appearing across diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various registers, though awareness of potential overstatement is important. The presence of varied alternatives, such as "apt to manage", "prone to deal with", and "expected to take care of", offers flexibility in writing. Source quality is high, reinforcing the reliability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apt to manage

Replaces "handle" with "manage" and "likely" with "apt", focusing on a natural tendency.

prone to deal with

Shifts from likelihood to a predisposition to "deal with" something.

inclined to address

Indicates a tendency to "address" a situation, suggesting a more proactive approach.

expected to take care of

Focuses on the expectation of "taking care of" something, implying responsibility.

anticipated to resolve

Highlights the anticipation of "resolving" an issue, suggesting a problem-solving context.

liable to oversee

Suggests a responsibility to "oversee", indicating a supervisory role.

set to administer

Implies a plan or schedule to "administer" something, focusing on management.

predisposed to control

Indicates a natural inclination to "control", suggesting a position of authority.

bound to contend with

Suggests an obligation or inevitability in "contending with" a challenge.

presumed to see to

Implies an assumption that someone will "see to" something, indicating attention and action.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely to handle" to indicate an expectation or probability that someone or something will manage a situation or task successfully. For example, "The experienced team is "likely to handle" the project efficiently".

What are some alternatives to "likely to handle"?

Alternatives include "apt to manage", "prone to deal with", or "expected to take care of", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "likely to handle" or "likely to be handling"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Likely to handle" suggests a future action, while "likely to be handling" suggests an ongoing or continuous action in the future. Choose the one that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "likely to handle" and "able to handle"?

"Likely to handle" indicates a probability or expectation based on circumstances or capabilities. "Able to handle" focuses on the inherent ability or capacity to manage something, regardless of likelihood.