likely to regain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to regain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the probability of someone or something recovering or getting back something that was lost. Example: "After a thorough analysis, the team concluded that the company is likely to regain its market share within the next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Experts say people with chronic heart failure are far less likely to regain normal heart function than acute cases like Megan.

The New York Times - Science

Ashley Giles is likely to regain his place, albeit by default.

The Guardian - Sport

At that point "Today" is likely to regain a commanding lead.

The New York Times

Liberal is about as likely to regain its original meaning as awful is.

The New York Times

Scott Van Winkle, a research analyst at Adams, Harkness & Hill in Boston, said the company was still "an industry leader" and was likely to regain its profitability.

The New York Times

The United States looks likely to regain its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Commission now that Italy and Spain have reportedly agreed to step aside.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Thus, a patient with an intertrochanteric fracture was 4 times more likely not to regain independence in basic mobility, regained it on average 2 days later, and was twice as likely not to be discharged to his or her own home, compared to a patient with a cervical fracture.

Acta Orthopaedica

Companies have already pledged production cuts, and that is expected to be a drop of 5% to 7%, but a drop of 7% to 10% is likely needed to "regain a healthy normalized profit level".

Forbes

Villages B and C, lacking another likely way to regain their status quo positions, agree to the Taliban offer.

Huffington Post

Thus, patients with a low prefracture NMS and/or an intertrochanteric fracture would be 18 and 4 times more likely not to regain independence in basic mobility during the hospital stay, respectively, than patients with a high prefracture level and a cervical fracture, respectively.

Acta Orthopaedica

A patient with a low prefracture functional level (NMS ≤ 6) was 18 times more likely not to regain independence in basic mobility during hospitalization, regained independence in mobility (if at all) on average 3 days later, and was 13 times more likely not to be discharged directly to his or her own home, compared to a patient with a high functional level before fracture (NMS > 6).

Acta Orthopaedica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about the timeframe or conditions under which the regaining is expected. For example, "The economy is likely to regain its pre-pandemic levels within the next two years."

Common error

Avoid using "likely to regain" without specifying what is being regained. Saying "They are likely to regain" leaves the reader wondering what they are regaining, leading to confusion. Always clarify the object.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to regain" functions as a verb phrase expressing probability or expectation. It describes the possibility of something or someone recovering something that was lost or diminished, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "likely to regain" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express the probability of recovering something lost or diminished. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, it is important to clearly specify what is being regained to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like ""expected to recover"" and "anticipated to reclaim" exist, "likely to regain" maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communications. Its frequent appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian further validates its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probable to recover

Emphasizes the probability of returning to a previous state, with a slightly more formal tone.

expected to recover

Highlights the anticipation of getting something back, focusing on expectations.

anticipated to reclaim

Focuses on the act of taking something back, emphasizing a return to possession.

foreseen to recoup

Implies a planned or predicted recovery, specifically referring to recouping losses.

predicted to restore

Emphasizes a forecast about the restoration of something, like health or function.

on track to recover

Suggests ongoing progress toward a complete recovery, implying a process.

poised to recapture

Suggests being ready or prepared to regain something, emphasizing readiness.

bound to reacquire

Indicates a strong likelihood or destiny in regaining something.

certain to win back

Highlights the assurance or confidence in winning back a lost position or item.

set to retrieve

Emphasizes the intentional action of retrieving something, focusing on the retrieval process.

FAQs

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

Use "likely to regain" when you want to express the probability of recovering or getting back something that was lost or diminished. For example, "After the storm, the town is "expected to recover" and "likely to regain" its former beauty".

What are some alternatives to "likely to regain"?

You can use alternatives like "probable to recover", ""expected to recover"", or "anticipated to reclaim" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "likely to regain" in formal writing?

Yes, "likely to regain" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the context is clear and the object being regained is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. More formal alternatives could be "anticipated to reclaim" in some cases.

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

"Likely to regain" suggests a probability or expectation of recovery. "Able to regain" indicates the capability or potential to recover. For instance, "The company is likely to regain its market share" suggests it's probable, while "The company is able to regain its market share" suggests it has the capacity to do so.