most likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

"most likely to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when making a prediction about which person or thing is the most likely to be the result of some situation or phenomenon, for example: "Of the five employees in this office, John is most likely to receive the promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most likely to: Sound sweet like chocolate.

The Guardian - Music

Most likely to: Inspire dogma.

The Guardian - Music

Most likely to: Abhor euthanasia.

The Guardian - Music

Most likely to: Declare war on Drukqs.

The Guardian - Music

Most likely to: Induce shock and awe.

The Guardian - Music

Most likely to: Be murderous onstage.

The Guardian - Music

"And they're most likely to network".

The New York Times - Travel

Most likely to: Haunt.

The Guardian - Music

Most likely to: Slay.

The Guardian - Music

Most likely to: Mosh.

The Guardian - Music

Most likely to: Score.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most likely to", ensure you provide a clear basis for your prediction. For example, specify the factors or reasons that make a particular outcome more probable than others.

Common error

Avoid using "most likely to" without providing sufficient context or justification. Ambiguous statements can weaken the credibility of your prediction. Instead of saying "He is most likely to succeed", specify why: "Given his experience and dedication, he is "most likely to" succeed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most likely to" functions as a modifier expressing probability or prediction. It indicates the highest degree of likelihood among a set of possibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for diverse writing scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most likely to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for expressing a high degree of probability. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions as a modifier, is typically used for predictions or assessments of future outcomes, and has a neutral register. Its usage is most common in News & Media contexts, with support from authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times. When using "most likely to", it's crucial to provide clear context and justification for your prediction to avoid ambiguity and enhance credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most probable to

Emphasizes the highest probability among several possibilities.

most apt to

Highlights a natural tendency or inclination towards something.

most inclined to

Suggests a predisposition or leaning in a particular direction.

most prone to

Implies a higher susceptibility or vulnerability to a specific outcome.

most liable to

Indicates a legal or logical obligation or risk.

odds are highest for

Focuses on the chances or probability of a particular event.

chance is greatest for

Highlights the highest likelihood of something occurring.

it is expected that

Expresses anticipation or a reasonable belief about a future event.

tends to

Suggests a habitual or frequent behavior or outcome.

will probably

Simple prediction using “probably”.

FAQs

How do I use "most likely to" in a sentence?

"Most likely to" is used to express the highest probability of something occurring or someone doing something. Example: "Given her qualifications, she is "most likely to" be hired."

What's a good alternative to "most likely to"?

Alternatives include "most probable to", "most apt to", or "most inclined to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "most likely to" formal or informal?

"Most likely to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and tone than on the phrase itself.

What is the difference between "likely to" and "most likely to"?

"Likely to" indicates a general probability, while "most likely to" specifies the highest probability among several options. "He is likely to succeed" suggests a good chance of success, while "He is "most likely to" succeed" implies he has the best chance compared to others.