likely to occur

USAGE SUMMARY

"likely to occur" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a probability that something might happen. For example: "Heavy rain is likely to occur this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is not likely to occur.

The New York Times

reductions in congestion are likely to occur.

University of California, Berkeley

Cool summers are still likely to occur.

The Washington Post

But this not likely to occur anytime soon.

The New York Times

But where is it most likely to occur?

The New York Times

Neither is likely to occur offscreen anytime soon.

The New Yorker

(And bad trips are much less likely to occur).

The New Yorker

"That is where leaks are most likely to occur".

The New York Times

What might make infertility more likely to occur?

Harvard University

Where was such de-policing most likely to occur?

The Washington Post

Further observation suggests that latter is more likely to occur.

Carbon

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likely to occur", ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Errors are likely to occur", specify "Data entry errors are likely to occur".

Common error

Avoid using "likely to occur" when the event is merely possible or speculative. Reserve it for situations where there is a reasonable basis for expecting the event to happen. Using weaker terms like "might occur" or "could occur" may be more appropriate in speculative contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to occur" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the probability or chance of an event taking place. As Ludwig examples confirm, this structure is widely accepted and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "likely to occur" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express the probability of an event. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, it is commonly used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. The phrase functions as an adjectival modifier, providing information about the chance or potential for something to happen. When using "likely to occur", clarity is key; ensure that the subject of the phrase is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. While it's a useful phrase, avoid overstating the likelihood of events that are merely speculative; in such cases, consider using alternatives such as "might occur" or "could occur".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone to happen

Changes the structure to emphasize a natural tendency or vulnerability towards the event.

apt to take place

Substitutes "occur" with "take place", lending a slightly more formal tone and emphasizing the event's unfolding.

liable to transpire

Replaces "occur" with "transpire", implying a gradual or unfolding event, often with an element of inevitability.

expected to arise

Shifts focus to anticipation and expectation, suggesting that the event is foreseen based on current conditions.

possible to materialize

Emphasizes the potential for the event to become real or concrete, highlighting its current state of being only a possibility.

anticipated to unfold

Highlights the unfolding nature of the event, suggesting a process or series of events rather than a single occurrence.

foreseeable to happen

Focuses on the predictability of the event, suggesting it can be anticipated based on available information.

conceivable to arise

Implies that the event is within the realm of possibility, even if not highly probable.

imminent to emerge

Suggests the event is on the verge of happening, close in time and ready to appear or develop.

destined to befall

Adds a sense of fate or inevitability, suggesting the event is predetermined and cannot be avoided.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely to occur" to indicate the probability of an event happening. For example, "Delays are "likely to occur" due to the weather".

What are some alternatives to "likely to occur"?

Some alternatives include "prone to happen", "apt to take place", or "liable to transpire", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "likely to occurs"?

No, "likely to occurs" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""likely to occur"", as "occur" is the base form of the verb and should not be inflected in this context.

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

"Likely to occur" suggests a higher probability than "possible to occur". "Possible to occur" simply means that something could happen, while ""likely to occur"" implies a reasonable expectation or probability.