pretty likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty likely" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to express that something is likely to occur or be true, but not certain. For example, "The weather forecast says there's a pretty likely chance of rain tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's looking pretty likely.

The New York Times

"He sees China as a pretty likely source of that".

The Guardian

"I think that's pretty likely," O'Brien, of the Boston Children's Hospital clinic, said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's pretty likely that any woman who has been pregnant is a chimera," Dr. Randolph said.

The New York Times - Science

So you have to say that it's pretty likely that we will indeed hit the ceiling.

The New York Times

Dr. David M. Olson, a medical adviser to Doctors Without Borders, called that "pretty likely".

The New York Times

Depending on how old you are, it's pretty likely that you have eyelash mites.

The Guardian

And it seems pretty likely that the Satyam scandal will have a similar effect in India.

The New York Times

Gallopin leads by 94 seconds, but that is pretty likely to be wiped out this afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

Once you get in the cath lab, it's pretty likely that something will get done".

The New York Times

We can only lend to people we think are pretty likely to pay it back".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty likely" to convey a sense of probability that is more than possible but less than certain. This phrase is useful when you want to express a moderate level of confidence in an outcome or event.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty likely" when the situation demands absolute certainty or near impossibility. For scenarios requiring stronger affirmation, consider phrases like "almost certain" or "highly unlikely" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty likely" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something is probable or expected. As Ludwig points out, it suggests a probability greater than merely possible but less than certain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty likely" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates a moderate degree of probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to assess the specific context and ensure that the level of certainty expressed aligns with the situation. Alternatives like ""quite probable"" or ""highly plausible"" can be considered for subtle variations in meaning or tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in all probability

Implies a strong likelihood based on available evidence.

quite probable

Indicates a slightly more formal tone than "pretty likely".

very possible

Focuses on the potential for something to occur.

highly plausible

Emphasizes the believability or credibility of something.

reasonably expected

Highlights the element of anticipation or prediction.

probably true

Shifts the focus to the truthfulness of a statement.

apt to happen

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination.

likely enough

Similar in meaning, but less common in contemporary usage.

within the bounds of possibility

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing possibility.

conceivably

Indicates something is within the realm of possibility, though not necessarily probable.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty likely" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty likely" to express that something is probable but not certain. For example: "It's "pretty likely" that the meeting will be postponed due to the weather."

What are some alternatives to "pretty likely"?

Some alternatives include "quite probable", "highly plausible", or "very possible", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "pretty likely" or "very likely"?

Both "pretty likely" and "very likely" are correct, but "very likely" suggests a higher degree of probability. "Pretty likely" implies a moderate level of certainty.

What's the difference between "pretty likely" and "possibly"?

"Pretty likely" indicates a higher probability than "possibly". If something is "pretty likely", it is more probable than if it is only "possibly" so.