quite likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is probable or likely to occur, as in "It is quite likely that I will be able to attend the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Quite likely.

The New York Times

It seems quite likely".

The New Yorker

Oh, quite likely.

The Guardian - Film

First, another rate rise remains quite likely.

The Economist

Quite likely, but hardly a certainty.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which is unfortunately quite likely.

The Guardian - Books

Both possibilities are quite likely to happen.

The Guardian - Sport

Judge Sullivan's, however, is quite likely not.

The New York Times

However, I believe that it quite likely would be enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although that's quite likely to be a good sign.

The Guardian - Books

Quite likely, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite likely" to express a moderate degree of certainty or expectation without making an absolute claim. It is suitable when you want to convey that something is more probable than not, but without complete assurance.

Common error

Avoid using "quite likely" when the situation requires a definitive statement or when the evidence strongly supports a conclusive assertion. Instead, opt for phrases that accurately reflect the level of certainty you possess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite likely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates a degree of probability or expectation, suggesting that something is probable but not certain. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite likely" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a moderate degree of probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse sources, particularly in "News & Media" and "Science", suggesting its versatility across different contexts. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, conveying a reasoned judgment without absolute certainty. When using "quite likely", it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty and instead, opt for stronger language when warranted by the evidence. Alternatives such as ""very probable"" or ""most likely"" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. In summary, "quite likely" serves as a balanced way to express a good possibility without making a definitive assertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most likely

Suggests the highest probability among several possibilities.

in all probability

Suggests that something is almost certain to happen.

very probable

Emphasizes the high probability of something occurring.

highly possible

Indicates a strong chance of something being true or happening.

fairly certain

Expresses a good level of confidence about something.

plausible

Indicates that something is believable and could easily be true.

reasonably expected

Implies a justified expectation based on current circumstances.

presumably

Indicates an assumption based on reasonable evidence.

potentially

Suggests that something has the capacity to happen or be true.

conceivably

Indicates that something is possible, though perhaps not probable.

FAQs

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

"Quite likely" is used to express that something is probable or expected, but not certain. For example, "It's "quite likely" that the meeting will be postponed due to the weather."

What are some alternatives to "quite likely"?

Alternatives to "quite likely" include "very probable", "most likely", or "highly possible", depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is "quite likely" formal or informal?

"Quite likely" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might prefer a more precise term.

What's the difference between "quite likely" and "likely"?

The addition of "quite" intensifies the likelihood slightly. While "likely" suggests a good chance of something happening, "quite likely" suggests an even stronger probability.