not likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not likely to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you want to express a low probability or degree of expectation that something will happen. For example: Given the current circumstances, it is not likely to rain tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not likely to.

The New Yorker

Not likely to remember?

The New York Times - Health

She's not likely to panic.

The New York Times

Not likely to happen, though.

The New York Times

It's not likely to prevail".

The New York Times

That's not likely to happen".

The New York Times

No, and it's not likely to.

The New York Times

That is not likely to end now.

The New York Times

That is not likely to happen.

The New York Times

This is not likely to, er, wash.

The New Yorker

Ms Radicova is not likely to stay.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not likely to" to express a reasonable degree of doubt or low expectation. It's appropriate when there's some evidence suggesting an event is improbable, but not impossible.

Common error

Avoid using "not likely to" when the event is virtually impossible. In such cases, stronger terms like "impossible" or "certainly not" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not likely to" functions as an adverbial modifier expressing a low degree of probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It typically precedes a verb and indicates that the action or event described by the verb is improbable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not likely to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a low degree of probability. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts. As the analysis shows, it's very common in "News & Media" but also appears in academic and scientific writing. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "unlikely to" or "improbable to" may be preferred. Remember to use "not likely to" when expressing a reasoned doubt rather than an impossibility. Overall, it’s a versatile phrase for conveying uncertainty in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely to

Replaces "not likely" with its direct antonym "unlikely", maintaining the same core meaning.

improbable to

Substitutes "likely" with "probable", emphasizing a slightly more formal tone.

not expected to

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than pure probability.

not anticipated to

Similar to "not expected to", stressing the lack of prior expectation.

hardly going to

Emphasizes a low probability using an informal and conversational style.

doubtful to

Highlights the uncertainty and skepticism associated with the outcome.

slim chance of

Indicates a very low probability of something occurring.

remote possibility of

Suggests a distant or unlikely chance.

scarcely possible to

Emphasizes that something is barely conceivable or achievable.

against the odds of

Highlights the unfavorable conditions or circumstances that make something improbable.

FAQs

How can I use "not likely to" in a sentence?

You can use "not likely to" to express a low probability or expectation that something will occur. For example: "Given the current economic climate, it is "not likely to" see significant growth this quarter."

What's a more formal alternative to "not likely to"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "unlikely to" or "improbable to". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is "not likely to" the same as "unlikely to"?

While very similar, "not likely to" can sometimes imply a slightly weaker degree of improbability compared to "unlikely to". The difference is subtle and often context-dependent.

What are some common synonyms for "not likely to"?

Some common synonyms include "not expected to", "doubtful to", and "slim chance of", each conveying a varying degree of uncertainty or low probability.