most likely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most likely that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a high probability or expectation regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "Based on the evidence presented, it is most likely that the project will be completed ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most likely that won't happen against the Jets.

The New York Times - Sports

Most likely, that would have been the end of it.

The New York Times

Most likely, that was when he'd got into drugs.

The New Yorker

Maybe not: most likely, that would be a really stupid way to die.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Most likely, that was not by chance.

Los Angeles Times

RICH: Most likely that was part of a nationwide effort called The Heart Gallery.

HuffPost

Most likely, that will be you because you're feeding it and caring for it directly.

WikiHow

Most likely that is the person you would enjoy spending the most time with.

WikiHow

Alive, his biggest flaw was most likely that he liked me.

The New Yorker

It seems most likely that palaeognaths evolved from flying ancestors.

University of California, Berkeley

It is most likely that Schulberg produced and Gasnier directed.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most likely that" when you want to express a strong degree of probability based on available evidence. It's more assertive than "probably" but less definitive than "certainly".

Common error

Avoid using "most likely that" when presenting purely speculative scenarios without supporting evidence. Instead, opt for phrases like "it's possible that" or "it might be that" to convey uncertainty more accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most likely that" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a clause. It modifies the verb within the clause by expressing a high degree of probability or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms this is a standard and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most likely that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a high probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb and expressing a strong belief about an outcome. While suitable for various contexts, including news, scientific writing, and general conversation, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in purely speculative scenarios. Alternative phrases such as "very likely that" or "highly probable that" can provide variety and nuance to your writing. Keep in mind that some alternative expressions are more appropriate for different registers and use cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very likely that

This alternative emphasizes the high probability of something happening.

highly probable that

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

in all probability that

This phrase suggests that something is almost certain to happen.

it is probable that

A slightly more formal and detached way of expressing likelihood.

chances are that

This alternative is more informal and suggests a good possibility.

it seems probable that

This suggests that the likelihood is based on observation or inference.

one can expect that

This phrase shifts the focus to what can be anticipated based on current conditions.

it is reasonable to assume that

This suggests a logical inference based on available information.

it is to be expected that

This conveys the idea that something is predictable based on past experience.

odds are that

This informal option suggests a statistical likelihood of something occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "most likely that" in a sentence?

You can use "most likely that" to indicate a high probability or expectation. For example, "It is "most likely that" the meeting will be postponed due to the weather."

What's the difference between "most likely that" and "probably that"?

"Most likely that" suggests a stronger degree of certainty compared to "probably that". "Most likely that" indicates a well-supported belief, while "probably that" conveys a general likelihood.

What can I say instead of "most likely that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use "highly probable that" or "in all probability that" instead of "most likely that".

Is it correct to say "mostly likely that" instead of "most likely that"?

No, "mostly likely that" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""most likely that"", where "most" modifies "likely" to indicate the highest degree of likelihood.