may likely

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase 'may likely' is not a correct phrase in written English.
The correct phrase is 'may likely be' or 'may possibly'. Example sentence: The weather tomorrow may possibly be under particular scrutiny as rain is expected.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This may likely be the last best hope for substantial recovery," Judge Daniels said.

The New York Times

"New medications that are being developed may likely make it quick, easy, cheap, and safe to block many unwanted emotions.

The New Yorker

These stations may likely fail in future.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

This may likely apply to rumen microbes.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

This may likely be a region of strong downwelling motion.

Earth, Planets and Space

However, the inherently unstable nature of brittle cracking may likely increase the risk of structural failure.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Outside these zones (red bands), slope failure may likely not occur.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

This may likely be due to higher cell adhesion on apatite-formed PPEES nanofiber composite.

Progress in Biomaterials

This threshold may likely differ depending on the research vehicle that participates in the trials.

European Transport Research Review

This may likely be due to the lack of sintering and structural damage in the heterostructure.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

The top 0.30 m were excluded since this may likely be removed during earthworks stripping operations.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context supports the intended meaning. While 'may' indicates possibility, 'likely' suggests probability. Blending them can sometimes dilute your message.

Common error

Avoid using "may likely" because it combines two words that essentially mean the same thing, creating a redundant phrase. Opt for "may possibly" or "is likely to" for a more grammatically sound and concise expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may likely" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing a degree of probability or possibility. Despite its frequent usage, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable, suggesting more accurate alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "may likely" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable. The phrase serves to express probability but combines two terms with overlapping meanings, potentially leading to redundancy. Although common in both news and scientific contexts, it's advisable to use more grammatically sound alternatives like "may possibly" or "is likely to" for enhanced clarity and precision in writing. Using these alternatives can improve the overall quality and credibility of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may possibly

Replaces "likely" with "possibly", softening the degree of probability.

might likely

Replaces "may" with "might", maintaining a similar degree of possibility, but with a slight change in tone.

could likely

Substitutes "may" with "could", indicating a possibility but with a slightly weaker sense of probability.

may well

Uses "may well" to express a strong likelihood or expectation.

probably will

Replaces "may likely" with a more direct expression of probability using "probably".

likely to

Uses a different structure to convey the idea of something being probable.

it is probable that

A more formal way of expressing probability.

potentially could

Combines "potentially" with "could", emphasizing possibility rather than probability.

it is plausible that

Focuses on the believability or feasibility of an event.

is apt to

Conveys a natural tendency or inclination for something to happen.

FAQs

Is "may likely" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, the phrase "may likely" is often considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives like "may possibly" or "is likely to".

What does "may likely" mean?

The phrase "may likely" suggests that something is probable but not certain. It combines the possibility of "may" with the probability of "likely".

Are there alternatives to "may likely" that are more grammatically sound?

Yes, more grammatically sound alternatives include "may possibly", "is likely to", "probably will", or "might likely".

How can I use "may likely" correctly in a sentence?

While not recommended, if you choose to use "may likely", ensure the context implies a moderate degree of probability. However, consider using more precise and grammatically accepted alternatives such as "may possibly" or "is likely to" for clarity.