likely to listen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to listen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the probability of someone being receptive to information or advice. Example: "If you present your argument clearly, he is likely to listen to your concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But like Mr. Gingrich, Mr. Santorum is not likely to listen to them.

The New York Times

But are people still likely to listen?

The Economist

Most likely to: Listen to the music.

The Guardian - Music

What kind of arguments are they likely to listen to?

Stanford University

People are more likely to listen to you".

The New York Times

Independents are more likely to listen to their constituents.

The Guardian

Kids and teens are much more likely to listen to us if they feel understood.

University of California, Berkeley

But they are more likely to listen to rap or reggae than to native music.

The Economist

"Teenagers are more likely to listen to each other than to adults," she said.

The New York Times - Health

If a man does the same, people are more likely to listen.

The Guardian - Tech

"Hunt doesn't strike me as being any more likely to listen than Lansley was.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likely to listen", ensure the context clearly establishes who is more likely to listen and under what circumstances. For example, 'Teenagers are more likely to listen to each other than to adults.'

Common error

Avoid assuming someone will "likely to listen" without considering their prior biases, current emotional state, or relationship with the speaker. Effective communication requires understanding the listener's perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to listen" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying an implied subject to describe a propensity or probability of engaging in the action of listening. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely to listen" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe someone's inclination or probability of paying attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and accepted. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates who is more "likely to listen" and the specific conditions influencing their receptiveness. Alternative phrases such as ""inclined to listen"" or "receptive to hearing" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember, assuming someone is "likely to listen" requires considering their perspective, biases, and the overall communication context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclined to listen

Replaces "likely" with "inclined", suggesting a predisposition to listen.

disposed to listen

Uses "disposed" instead of "likely", indicating a tendency or willingness to listen.

amenable to listening

Substitutes "likely" with "amenable", implying an openness to listening.

receptive to hearing

Replaces "listen" with "hearing" and "likely" with "receptive", focusing on openness to receiving information.

open to listening

Uses "open" instead of "likely", conveying a willingness to listen.

prone to listening

Similar to 'inclined', "prone" suggests a natural tendency.

ready to listen

Emphasizes preparedness and willingness to listen.

tending to listen

Describes a habit or pattern of listening.

willing to hear

Focuses on willingness as the key aspect.

more apt to listen

Uses "apt" to indicate a higher probability of listening.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely to listen" to describe someone's inclination or probability of paying attention. For example, "They are more "inclined to listen" when you speak calmly."

What are some alternatives to "likely to listen"?

Alternatives include "open to listening", "receptive to hearing", or "disposed to listen", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "more likely to listen" or "likely to listen more"?

"More likely to listen" is generally the preferred phrasing. "Likely to listen more" is grammatically correct but less common and can sound awkward. The first option emphasizes the probability of listening in comparison to other possibilities.

What factors influence whether someone is "likely to listen"?

Factors can include the speaker's credibility, the listener's prior knowledge, the emotional context, and the relevance of the information. Someone is more "prone to listening" when they trust the source and find the information valuable.