looks set to

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks set to" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe something that seems likely to happen soon. For example, "The weather looks set to be pleasant tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That looks set to continue.

The Economist

That looks set to change.

The Guardian

The boom looks set to continue.

The Economist

Thus, Greater Manchester looks set to prosper.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the confusion looks set to continue.

The Economist

Yet the craze looks set to continue.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That environment looks set to change.

The Guardian

Europe's fiscal crisis looks set to deteriorate".

The Guardian - Business

• The Hannibal franchise looks set to continue.

The Guardian - Film

Whatever happens, it looks set to shrink.

The Guardian - Money

More now looks set to follow.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks set to" to convey a strong likelihood or expectation about a future event based on current conditions or trends. It adds a touch of anticipation to your writing.

Common error

While "looks set to" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "is expected to" or "is projected to" may offer a more suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks set to" functions as a modal idiom indicating a high probability or expectation of a future event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression in English. Examples from Ludwig show its common use in describing trends and predictions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looks set to" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a high probability or expectation about a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for broad communication. Alternatives like "is likely to" or "is expected to" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. While it's a valuable tool for forecasting, avoid overusing it in highly formal contexts for best impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is likely to

Replaces "looks set to" with a more direct expression of probability.

is expected to

Substitutes "looks set to" with a phrase emphasizing anticipation or expectation.

is poised to

Changes "looks set to" to a more formal phrase suggesting readiness or preparation.

is on track to

Replaces "looks set to" with a phrase indicating progress and direction towards a specific outcome.

is anticipated to

Substitutes "looks set to" with a passive construction emphasizing anticipation.

is bound to

Changes "looks set to" to a phrase suggesting inevitability or certainty.

is sure to

Replaces "looks set to" with a more informal phrase indicating confidence in a future event.

will likely

Substitutes "looks set to" with a more concise expression of probability.

will probably

Changes "looks set to" to a less formal phrase expressing a high chance of occurrence.

is projected to

Replaces "looks set to" with a phrase that suggests a forecast or prediction.

FAQs

How can I use "looks set to" in a sentence?

You can use "looks set to" to describe something that is very likely to happen. For example, "The company "looks set to announce" record profits this year".

What are some alternatives to "looks set to"?

Alternatives include "is likely to", "is expected to", or "is poised to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "looks set to" formal or informal?

"Looks set to" is generally considered suitable for both neutral and slightly formal contexts, such as news articles or business reports. However, in highly formal academic writing, alternatives like "is projected to" may be more appropriate.

What does "looks set to" imply about the certainty of an event?

"Looks set to" suggests a high degree of probability based on current evidence or trends, but it doesn't guarantee the event will occur. It implies a strong likelihood rather than absolute certainty.