most likely yes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most likely yes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a high probability or strong inclination towards a positive response to a question or situation. Example: "Will we finish the project by the deadline? Most likely yes, given our current progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Our best guess is most likely, yes," said Nicholas P. Heymann, an analyst at Sterne, Agee & Leach.

The New York Times

Most likely, yes – but that is no reason to spread hysteria about kids and cannabis, or to prevent adults from getting safe access.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was looking at her, but she was looking past him to the figure of Gudrun in a prison smock, standing against a wall and smiling, most likely, yes, in the middle picture.

The New Yorker

as the most likely yes votes for any plan to restore those benefits -- which lapsed on Dec. 28, 2013 -- and extend them into the future.

Huffington Post

Yes; let's hope so; and most likely, yes.

The New York Times

Most likely, yes.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

If you asked President Obama whether he would agree with this statement, he would most likely say yes, with a sole exception: the United States cannot come to the rescue of other people and resolve their problems for them.

Huffington Post

The answer will most likely be yes.

WikiHow

They will most likely say yes.

WikiHow

The dog owner will most likely say yes.

WikiHow

The teacher will most likely say yes, if not then just wait until next period.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most likely yes" when you want to convey a strong sense of certainty without making an absolute guarantee. It's suitable for situations where you have good reason to believe something is true.

Common error

Avoid using "most likely yes" when the situation is highly uncertain. It's better to use a less definitive phrase to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most likely yes" functions as an affirmative response, conveying a high degree of probability or strong inclination towards a positive outcome. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it serves to confirm expectations or predictions with a notable level of confidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most likely yes" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate a strong probability or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for various registers, it's best employed when you want to convey certainty without absolute assurance. Remember to avoid overstating certainty in highly uncertain situations and consider alternatives like "very probably yes" or "almost certainly yes" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very probably yes

Replaces "likely" with "probably" maintaining a high degree of certainty.

almost certainly yes

Uses "almost certainly" to emphasize the near certainty of a positive response.

in all likelihood yes

Employs a more formal tone while conveying a high probability.

quite likely yes

Substitutes "most" with "quite" to soften the certainty slightly.

highly probable yes

Replaces "likely" with its synonym "probable", sounding slightly more formal.

presumably yes

Indicates an assumption that the answer is yes, based on available evidence.

apparently yes

Suggests the positive answer is based on what one has heard or seen.

it seems likely yes

Adds a distancing element, indicating that the likelihood is based on observation.

one would think so yes

Expresses an expectation that the answer should be yes.

I anticipate a yes

Shifts the focus to the speaker's anticipation of a positive response.

FAQs

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

Use "most likely yes" to express a strong probability or agreement. For example: "Will the project be completed on time? "Most likely yes", given the team's progress."

What are some alternatives to "most likely yes"?

You can use alternatives like "very probably yes", "almost certainly yes", or "in all likelihood yes" depending on the context.

Is "most likely yes" grammatically correct?

Yes, "most likely yes" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a high degree of probability coupled with affirmation. It's common in both spoken and written English.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "most likely yes"?

It's appropriate to use "most likely yes" when you want to express that a positive outcome is highly probable based on the available information or current circumstances. Avoid using it if there is significant uncertainty.