relatively likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"relatively likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has a higher chance of happening compared to other options, but is not a guaranteed outcome. Example: "It is relatively likely that it will rain tomorrow, but we should still bring an umbrella just in case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

We had believed that Spain was a market where M&A was relatively likely.

The Guardian - Business

Crossing guards are relatively likely to be age 85 or above.

The Washington Post

It is therefore relatively likely that shoes will be just right on one foot and a bit tight on the other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It would be helpful to use less rose-tinted predictions, based on policy choices that are both bad and relatively likely.

The Economist

Dennis Ausiello, a senior physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a paid scientific adviser to Verily and its CEO, Andrew Conrad, says "there's nothing magic about a watch" except that people are relatively likely to wear one.

MIT Technology Review

A. Relatively likely, judging by a United States Postal Service list of the cities with the most dog attacks on letter carriers for the year that ended Sept. 30.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

As shown in part B, both Hispanic males and females are relatively more likely to enroll in AA programs, with Hispanic females being the most likely to pursue an AA degree (64%) and black males being the least likely (43%).

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Several factors, including a ban on advertising and prohibitions on marijuana cultivation that keep prices relatively high, likely moderate the use of marijuana in the Netherlands relative to what one might see in a completely legalized regime, said MacCoun.

University of California, Berkeley

During the Cambrian, however, with the development of shells and skeletons, fossilisation was relatively more likely.

The Guardian

And previous studies have shown that older fathers are relatively more likely to beget daughters.

The Economist

Women make up about 70% of the Catholic churchgoing population but there are relatively few likely contenders.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively likely", ensure the context clearly establishes what you are comparing the likelihood to. This provides a clear frame of reference for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively likely" when the situation warrants a stronger expression of certainty. If evidence strongly supports an outcome, use more decisive language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively likely" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically intensifying the adjective "likely". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to qualify the degree of likelihood, positioning it as more probable than other possibilities, but not as a certainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relatively likely" is a versatile phrase used to express a moderate degree of probability, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and commonly found across diverse fields like news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's important to establish a clear comparison to other possibilities to provide context. Alternatives such as ""reasonably probable"" or ""quite possible"" can be used to add subtle nuances to your writing. Be mindful not to overstate certainty when employing this phrase, and remember that it serves best when indicating a probability greater than others, but short of assuredness. The examples from Ludwig show its frequent occurrence in reputable sources, affirming its legitimacy and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably probable

This alternative focuses on the reasonability of the probability.

quite possible

This alternative emphasizes the possibility of something occurring.

somewhat expected

This alternative suggests a moderate level of anticipation.

potentially plausible

This alternative highlights the believability and potential of an event.

moderately predictable

This alternative emphasizes the degree to which something can be foreseen.

fairly anticipated

This alternative suggests a reasonable expectation.

conceivably possible

This alternative emphasizes the possibility, though perhaps not the probability.

arguably predictable

This alternative implies that predictability is open to debate.

possibly anticipated

This alternative reduces the expectation element.

kind of expected

This alternative is more informal.

FAQs

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

You can use "relatively likely" to describe an event that has a higher probability compared to other possibilities. For example, "It's "relatively likely" that the project will be approved, given the initial positive feedback."

What are some alternatives to "relatively likely"?

Alternatives include "reasonably probable", "quite possible", or "somewhat expected", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "relatively likely" or "very likely"?

"Relatively likely" indicates a moderate probability compared to other options, while "very likely" suggests a high probability. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of certainty.

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

"Relatively likely" implies a comparison to other possibilities, suggesting it's more probable than those alternatives. "Possibly likely" simply indicates that it is within the realm of possibility.