likely took

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely took" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a probability or assumption about an action that has already occurred. Example: "Based on the evidence, she likely took the wrong turn on her way to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Protolith emplacement likely took place at c. 450 and 494 Ma.

Tectonophysics

Probably not; her thoughts likely took a more enraged and practical turn.

The New Yorker

Bolt's research likely took him no more than half an hour.

The Guardian - Opinion

This migratory wave likely took place 2,000 2,400 YBP2.

Nature

He estimated that Johnson's dreads likely took him a couple of years to grow out.

The Washington Post

Kenyon and Bromley have performed detailed computer simulations to show how this stellar fly-by likely took place.

Harvard University

Since construction most likely took place within a few years after the trees were felled, this indicates that Basque farmhouses began to be constructed decades earlier than expected.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

A battery failure most likely took place on the Mars Global Surveyor, which unfortunately last communicated with Earth and thus ended its mission on November 2, 2006.

International Journal of Approximate Reasoning

Mr Patrick also beat Timothy Cahill, a Democrat turned independent, who most likely took some votes away from Mr Baker.

The Economist

As one of the founders of the organization, however, he most likely took a salary below market value.

The New York Times - Tech

Although a disclosure from the DCMS doesn't say so, the meeting likely took place in Paris, according to Kanter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely took" when you want to express a reasonable inference about a past event based on available evidence, without stating it as a definitive fact. It's useful for hedging claims and conveying uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "likely took" when the evidence clearly supports a definitive conclusion. If the action is certain, use a more direct statement. Using "likely took" in such cases can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely took" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a probability or assumption about a past action. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to infer events based on evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely took" is a versatile phrase used to express a reasonable inference about a past action. It's grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, particularly in News & Media and Science. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase serves to convey a level of uncertainty while still making an informed assertion based on available evidence. While "probably took" and "presumably took" are viable alternatives, "likely took" strikes a balance between informality and precision. While Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is appropriate for many contexts, writers should ensure they aren't understating certainty when the evidence is conclusive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably took

Simple synonym, replaces "likely" with "probably" for a similar degree of certainty.

most likely took

Adds emphasis to the probability of the action.

presumably took

Suggests the action was taken based on assumption or reasonable grounds.

apparently took

Indicates the action seems to have been taken based on available evidence.

evidently took

Similar to "apparently", but suggests more visible or clear evidence.

seemingly took

Implies the action appeared to have been taken, possibly with some doubt.

ostensibly took

Suggests the action was taken for a stated reason, which may not be the real one.

appeared to take

Shifts the focus to the appearance of the action rather than the certainty.

would have taken

Hypothetical past action that was expected to occur.

is believed to have taken

Attributes the belief about the action to an unspecified group.

FAQs

How can I use "likely took" in a sentence?

You can use "likely took" to express a probable action in the past. For example, "Based on the evidence, she "likely took" the wrong turn on her way to the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "likely took"?

You can use alternatives like "probably took", "presumably took", or "most likely took" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "likely took" or "likely taken"?

"Likely took" is the correct past tense form. "Likely taken" would be used in passive constructions (e.g., "The item was likely taken").

What's the difference between "likely took" and "probably took"?

The difference between ""likely took"" and "probably took" is subtle. They both convey a similar degree of probability, but "likely" may suggest a slightly stronger basis in evidence than "probably".