likely win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely win" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the probability of someone or something achieving victory in a competition or contest. Example: "Based on their recent performance, the team is likely to win the championship this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She'll likely win everything anyway.

The New Yorker

In both forums, Mr. Bush would likely win.

The New York Times

Even so, he will likely win on Sunday.

The New Yorker

This would also likely win Russian and French support.

The New York Times

Even under these conditions, over par will most likely win.

The New York Times - Sports

Should his measures fail, he can hold elections in which he will likely win.

The New Yorker

Mr. Lyne had it locked, and if he runs again, he'll most likely win.

The New York Times

Next up are Wyoming and Mississippi, which Mr Obama will likely win and Mrs Clinton discount.

The Economist

The player who starts best in that frame will more than likely win the match.

The New York Times

Mr. Santorum will very likely win downstate, while Mr. Romney should carry Chicago and its suburbs.

The New York Times

If the cases proceeded to trial, they would likely win on the merits.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely win" when you want to express a strong probability of success without stating it as a certainty. This allows for a degree of nuance, acknowledging that unforeseen circumstances can still alter outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "likely win" when the outcome is already determined or almost impossible to change. In such cases, use stronger terms like "certain to win" or "guaranteed victory" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely win" functions as a verb phrase expressing a high probability of achieving victory. It combines the adverb "likely", indicating probability, with the verb "win", denoting success or triumph in a competition or contest. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Sports

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely win" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a high probability of success or victory. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a verb phrase, primarily in neutral contexts like news and media, and sports. While alternatives such as "expected to win" or "probable victory" exist, "likely win" offers a concise way to convey an anticipated favorable outcome. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid overstating certainty, and it can often be preferred over "likely to win" for brevity. Remember to be direct and ensure that you aren't implying certainty when there is still a chance of an upset.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probable victory

Replaces the verb "win" with the noun "victory", slightly altering the emphasis.

expected to prevail

Uses a more formal tone and replaces "win" with "prevail", indicating dominance.

anticipated triumph

Employs a more elevated vocabulary, substituting "win" with "triumph" to denote a significant victory.

poised to succeed

Focuses on the readiness for success, implying the win is a natural consequence.

virtually assured of winning

Adds a level of certainty, suggesting a very high probability of winning.

almost certain to win

Expresses near certainty, indicating very little doubt about the outcome.

odds favor winning

Shifts the perspective to the probability or chances of winning.

projected to win

Implies a forecast or prediction that victory will occur.

slated for victory

Indicates that the win is prearranged or highly expected based on current conditions.

on track to win

Suggests progress and momentum towards an expected win.

FAQs

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

You can use "likely win" to express a high probability of victory or success. For example: "Given their current lead, they are "likely win" the championship."

What are some alternatives to "likely win"?

Some alternatives to "likely win" include "expected to win", "projected to win", or "probable victory" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "likely to win" or "likely win"?

Both "likely to win" and "likely win" are grammatically correct, but "likely win" is more concise and commonly used, especially in headlines and summaries. "Likely to win" might be preferred in more formal contexts.

What does it mean when someone says a candidate will "likely win"?

When someone says a candidate will "likely win", it means that based on current data, polls, and trends, it is highly probable that the candidate will be victorious in an upcoming election or competition.