more than likely

USAGE SUMMARY

'more than likely' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea that something is probable or very likely to happen. For example, "More than likely, the weather will be sunny tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's more than likely.

The New York Times

"They'll more than likely toss it.

The New York Times

Human error is more than likely.

Independent

More than likely, you make adjustments.

The New York Times - Sports

(4) More than likely!

The Guardian

More than likely yes.

The Guardian - Money

That's more than likely.

The Guardian - Opinion

More than likely.

The New York Times

More than likely, you don't.

The New York Times

More than likely, they will.

The New Yorker

It seems more than likely.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than likely" to express a strong probability based on available evidence or common sense. It adds a touch of informality while still conveying a clear sense of likelihood.

Common error

Avoid using "more than likely" when you need to express absolute certainty. It implies a high probability, but not a guaranteed outcome. Use stronger phrases like "definitely" or "certainly" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than likely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the probability of an event. As confirmed by Ludwig, it expresses that something is very probable. Examples in Ludwig show the phrase used to qualify predictions and expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than likely" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express a strong probability. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for expressing well-founded, though not absolutely certain, predictions or expectations. While versatile, it's more frequent in neutral to informal contexts like news and general writing than in highly formal or scientific discourse. When absolute certainty is required, stronger alternatives should be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very probably

This alternative uses a more formal adverb to convey the same high degree of probability.

quite likely

This option suggests a strong possibility with a slightly different emphasis.

in all probability

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the reasoned assessment of likelihood.

almost certainly

This alternative strengthens the sense of likelihood to near certainty.

most probably

This phrase offers a slightly different phrasing with equivalent meaning.

very possibly

While interchangeable in some contexts, it emphasizes possibility rather than likelihood.

it is highly probable

This is a more formal and emphatic way of expressing a strong likelihood.

chances are

This idiom offers a more informal way to express likelihood.

presumably

Suggests that something is likely based on assumption or reasonable evidence.

as likely as not

This phrase indicates a roughly equal chance of something happening or not happening. Opposite meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "more than likely" in a sentence?

You can use "more than likely" to express a strong probability or expectation. For example: "More than likely, the game will be canceled due to rain."

What are some alternatives to saying "more than likely"?

Alternatives include phrases like "very probably", "quite likely", or "in all probability", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "more than likely" grammatically correct?

Yes, according to Ludwig AI, "more than likely" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression in written English to indicate a high probability.

What is the difference between "more than likely" and "likely"?

"More than likely" emphasizes a higher degree of probability than simply saying "likely". It suggests that something is very probable, nearing certainty.