likely victory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely victory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where success or winning is anticipated or expected. Example: "The team's strong performance throughout the season has led many to believe that a likely victory is within their reach in the upcoming championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some of it is sensible; some of it is like, well, this piece by Josef Joffe, which declares that Hollande's likely victory is "a bleak prospect for all but new Keynesians and old socialists".

The New York Times

The likely victory of Sadiq Khan in London was far from inevitable.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Argentina — and for South America — Mrs. Kirchner's likely victory would create a paradox.

The New York Times

The Panthers close against the Bucs – a likely victory – and at Atlanta, a difficult test.

The Washington Post

But privately, the Tories' high command finds it hard to conceal its delight over likely victory of Mr Corbyn.

Independent

In the case of Afghanistan, for Obama and now Trump, there is no likely victory for the American military in Afghanistan.

Yale University

NARC's likely victory took on added significance in western Kenya where the sun wore a halo on Friday.

The Guardian

Erickson admits that his stoking of anger and distrust has helped enable Trump's rise — and thus Hillary Clinton's likely victory.

The New Yorker

This, with the likely victory of a left government in Greece this month, is no theoretical whimsy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But with the Giants, likely victories are dangerous.

The New York Times - Sports

His advisers regard Indiana as an almost sure win, and Ohio and Missouri as likely victories that need tending.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about future events or outcomes, consider the potential impact of a "likely victory" on different stakeholders and address these implications in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "likely victory" as a definitive prediction. Instead, acknowledge potential uncertainties or unexpected factors that could influence the actual outcome. Frame it as a strong possibility rather than a guaranteed event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely victory" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "likely" modifies the noun "victory". It describes a state of anticipation or expectation regarding a positive outcome. According to Ludwig, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "likely victory" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a strong expectation or probability of winning. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources, confirms its widespread use in contexts such as news, academia, and sports. While it suggests a high degree of confidence, it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty and to acknowledge potential uncertainties. Alternatives like "probable win" or "expected triumph" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probable win

Focuses on the probability aspect while using a more concise term for victory.

expected triumph

Highlights the anticipation and grandeur of the victory.

anticipated success

Shifts the focus to a broader sense of success rather than a specific victory.

foreseeable win

Emphasizes the predictability of the victory.

presumed triumph

Suggests that the victory is taken for granted to some extent.

odds-on success

Uses a betting term to indicate high probability.

almost certain victory

Indicates a very high degree of confidence in the victory.

near certain win

Similar to 'almost certain victory' but with a slightly different phrasing.

highly probable success

Replaces "likely" with a more formal synonym and "victory" with "success".

envisaged win

Implies that the victory has been envisioned or planned for.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely victory" to describe a situation where a win is highly probable. For example: "The team's performance suggests a "likely victory" in the upcoming game."

What are some alternatives to "likely victory"?

Alternatives include "probable win", "expected triumph", or "anticipated success", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "likely victory"?

While "likely victory" is generally acceptable, it's crucial to consider the context. If the situation is highly uncertain, using phrases like "potential win" or "possible success" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "likely victory" and "certain victory"?

"Likely victory" indicates a high probability of winning, while "certain victory" suggests that the win is guaranteed or inevitable. Use "likely victory" when there's a strong expectation but not absolute certainty, and "certain victory" only when there is no reasonable doubt about the outcome.