likely to stick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to stick" is perfectly acceptable in written English.
You can use it in situations when something is likely to remain in place or remain unchanged for a period of time. For example: "The new health regulations are likely to stick, so it's important that everyone follows the rules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you like exercising, you're more likely to stick with it.

WikiHow

The label is likely to stick.

The New York Times - Sports

On paper, 2005 looked likely to stick to form.

The Guardian - Sport

…and they're likely to stick around for a while.

The Guardian

Yet the new pattern is likely to stick.

The Economist

Even if the allegations prove false, some of the mud is likely to stick, he adds.

The Guardian

More than that, they would be more likely to stick to the rules.

The Guardian

Now they have an enemy in Beckett — and the role is likely to stick.

The New Yorker

Would getting married make our family more likely to stick together?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even with the challenges they're facing, GMOs are likely to stick around.

The Guardian

Management at IBP would be less likely to stick around if Smithfield bought the company".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likely to stick", ensure the context clearly indicates what is expected to remain or persist. For example, "This new trend is "likely to stick" if consumers continue to embrace it."

Common error

Avoid using "likely to stick" without a clear subject or context. For example, instead of saying "It's likely to stick", specify what 'it' refers to: "The new policy is "likely to stick" if management enforces it consistently."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to stick" functions as a predicative adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a high probability of something remaining in a particular state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms this through its numerous examples of usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely to stick" is a versatile phrase used to express a high probability of something remaining or enduring. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and commonly found across diverse sources, from news articles to wikis. While its register is generally neutral, ensuring a clear context and subject is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives like "prone to remain" or "apt to endure" can add nuance, but "likely to stick" provides a straightforward and widely understood way to convey expectations of persistence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to last

Focuses on the anticipation that something will continue for a period.

prone to remain

Emphasizes a natural inclination or tendency to stay in a certain state.

inclined to persist

Suggests a leaning or tendency to continue despite challenges.

apt to endure

Highlights the suitability or fitness for lasting or surviving.

sure to maintain

Highlights the assurance that something will keep its current state.

poised to continue

Suggests readiness and a high probability of ongoing action or state.

certain to hold

Indicates a high degree of confidence that something will remain firm.

bound to stay

Implies an inevitability or strong likelihood of remaining.

set to persevere

Emphasizes the determination and likelihood of overcoming obstacles to remain.

probably to abide

Expresses the likelihood of adhering to or remaining compliant with something.

FAQs

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

Use "likely to stick" to express the probability of something remaining or enduring, like "This habit is "likely to stick" if you practice it daily".

What's a good alternative to "likely to stick"?

You can use alternatives like "prone to remain", "apt to endure", or "inclined to persist" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "liable to stick" instead of "likely to stick"?

While "liable to stick" is grammatically correct, it often implies a negative consequence or obligation, unlike "likely to stick", which is more neutral. Choose based on the intended meaning.

What makes something "likely to stick" versus just "possible to stick"?

"Likely to stick" suggests a higher degree of probability and a reasonable expectation of endurance. "Possible to stick" only indicates that it's not impossible, without implying any particular likelihood.