may likely be

USAGE SUMMARY

'may likely be' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are unsure but have a reasonable expectation that something may happen. For example: "The weather tomorrow may likely be sunny."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The authors postulated, however, that the 33 samples with negative cultures had a late presentation and may likely be due to atypical organisms like NTM [ 181].

BioMed Research International

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

The New York Times

If your audiologist does not address realistic expectations based on the severity of your hearing impairment, you may likely be a disappointed hearing aid user.

The New York Times

"In this case, it would probably be beneficial to both the landlord and the tenant to permit such access, as the landlord may likely be responsible for any nonaccess fees that may be imposed against the tenant," Mr. Bailey said.

The New York Times

This notion is ridiculous, and scientists who argue such may likely be guilty of simply not thinking long and deeply about how they arrived at the profession, why they do it and what motivates them.

University of California, Berkeley

We noticed a slight difference in the antibody band migration which may likely be due to the introduction of chemical modifications46, which in this case is the biotinylation that contributed to the retardation of gel migration.

Nature

This may likely be a region of strong downwelling motion.

Earth, Planets and Space

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

Progress in Biomaterials

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

Price may likely be the main headline to jump out from this event (if we hear it).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may likely be" to express a reasoned expectation, ensuring the context supports the probability being conveyed. It fits well when indicating a strong possibility based on current evidence or trends.

Common error

Avoid using "may likely be" when the outcome is already known or virtually certain. It's best suited for situations where there's a degree of uncertainty but a clear inclination towards a particular result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may likely be" functions as an adverbial modifier expressing a degree of probability or possibility. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, it is used to qualify statements with a sense of reasoned expectation, suggesting that something is reasonably anticipated to occur or exist.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

43%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may likely be" is a versatile phrase used to express a moderate to high degree of probability, as supported by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in written English. The phrase is commonly found in scientific and news contexts, making it suitable for both neutral and somewhat formal communication. While some sources might consider it slightly redundant, its use often serves to add emphasis and clarity to the expression of possibility. When writing, ensure the context warrants the level of probability the phrase conveys, and avoid using it when an outcome is already known with certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is probably going to be

Replaces "may" and "likely" with "probably going to", indicating a strong probability.

could very well be

Emphasizes the possibility using "very well", indicating a significant chance.

is apt to be

Uses "apt to" to suggest a natural tendency or likelihood.

is expected to be

Implies a degree of anticipation or prediction based on available information.

is anticipated to be

Similar to 'is expected to be', but places more weight on the anticipation of an event.

is reasonably expected to be

Introduces a qualifier of 'reasonably' to suggest that one has a good reason to suspect

is liable to be

Suggests a higher probability, often with a negative connotation.

is potentially going to be

Emphasizes the possibility or potential, without claiming strong inclination.

is inclined to be

Indicates a predisposition or tendency towards a certain state.

is presumed to be

Implies an assumption based on available evidence, but without absolute certainty.

FAQs

What does "may likely be" mean?

The phrase "may likely be" expresses a moderate to high degree of probability or possibility. It suggests that something is reasonably expected to occur or to be true based on the available information.

Is "may likely be" redundant?

Some argue that "likely" already implies "may", making the phrase redundant. However, "may likely be" can be used for emphasis to express a stronger sense of possibility. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

What are some alternatives to "may likely be"?

You can use alternatives such as "is probably going to be", "could very well be", or "is expected to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How formal is the phrase "may likely be"?

The phrase "may likely be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is frequently seen in news articles, scientific publications, and everyday conversation, making it versatile in terms of register.