likely to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that has a high probability of occurring. For example, "The forecast is for rain this afternoon, so it is likely to happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not likely to happen, though.

The New York Times

Is that likely to happen?

The New York Times - Arts

It is likely to happen.

The Economist

Neither is likely to happen.

The Economist

Neither seems likely to happen.

The New York Times - Sports

That's not likely to happen".

The New York Times

That does not seem likely to happen.

The Economist

That is not likely to happen.

The New York Times

Neither one appears likely to happen.

The New York Times

WHEN is this likely to happen?

The New York Times

Neither move is likely to happen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely to happen" when you want to express a reasonable expectation or high probability of an event occurring. Ensure the context provides sufficient evidence or reasoning to support this expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "likely to happen" when the event is purely speculative or lacks supporting evidence. Instead, use qualifiers like "might" or "could" to indicate a lower degree of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to happen" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the probability or likelihood of an event occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely to happen" is a versatile phrase used to express a high degree of probability or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct. It is very common in diverse contexts, notably within News & Media and Science, and its tone remains generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides sufficient evidence or reasoning to support the expressed likelihood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probable to occur

Focuses on the probability of the event taking place.

apt to occur

Highlights the natural tendency of something to happen.

liable to happen

Implies a risk or potential negative consequence.

expected to take place

Emphasizes anticipation and prior expectation.

anticipated to occur

Similar to 'expected', but often suggests a proactive preparation.

foreseeable

Suggests an event that can be predicted based on available information.

on the cards

An idiomatic expression indicating possibility or probability.

with high probability

Quantifies the likelihood of the event.

conceivable to occur

Indicates that something is possible to imagine or believe.

within the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something is possible, even if not highly probable.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely to happen" to describe events with a high probability of occurring, such as, "Given the current economic climate, a recession is "likely to happen"."

What are some alternatives to "likely to happen"?

Alternatives include "probable to occur", "expected to take place", or "apt to occur", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "likely to happen" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when discussing predictions or projections supported by data or logical reasoning. However, avoid using it if the claim is speculative or lacks evidence. Always use reliable sources to back-up claims.

What's the difference between "likely to happen" and "possible to happen"?

"Likely to happen" indicates a higher degree of probability than "possible to happen". "Possible" simply means that something could occur, while "likely" suggests that it is reasonably expected to occur.