seemed likely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seemed likely that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a probability or expectation regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "Based on the evidence presented, it seemed likely that the project would be completed ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seemed likely that Williams would have to comment, too.

The New Yorker

It seemed likely that the cells partly recruited the glyoxylate shunt as a by-pass route.

Metabolic Engineering

It also seemed likely that the Tories would become the party of government.

The New Yorker

It seemed likely that one of the megastars would be hired.

The New Yorker

It hardly seemed likely that these trends would already have been obvious.

The New Yorker

It seemed likely that he would at last meet his son.

The Economist

It seemed likely that the Abuelas knew about this, too, though they deny it.

The New Yorker

It seemed likely that the boom time would continue if Hillary Clinton was elected.

The Washington Post

He said it seemed likely that some otherwise qualified voters would be disenfranchised.

The Washington Post

It seemed likely that East held the missing clubs and West all the other high cards.

The New York Times

It seemed likely that most of the group's members would never reach the U.S.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seemed likely that" when you want to express a reasonable expectation or probability based on available information, without stating it as a certainty. This softens the assertion and acknowledges a degree of uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "seemed likely that" when the evidence is overwhelming and a definitive statement is more appropriate. For instance, if there's conclusive proof, stronger phrases like "it was certain that" or "it was clear that" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seemed likely that" functions as an evidential marker, indicating the speaker's assessment of the probability of a situation or event. It introduces a proposition with a degree of uncertainty, suggesting that based on available information, something is probable but not definitively certain, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seemed likely that" is a versatile phrase used to express a reasonable expectation or probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an evidential marker, conveying a belief about an event with a degree of uncertainty. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When writing, use it to soften assertions and acknowledge uncertainty, but avoid it when expressing confirmed facts. Remember to consider alternatives like "appeared probable that" for nuanced expressions. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "seemed likely that" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seemed probable that

Synonymous, but emphasizes probability over general likelihood.

appeared probable that

Focuses on the appearance of probability rather than a reasoned likelihood.

was expected that

Emphasizes anticipation or prediction based on prior knowledge.

was anticipated that

More formal than "was expected that", suggesting careful forethought.

appeared that

Simplifies the expression by removing 'likely', making it a more direct observation.

it was reasonable to assume that

Introduces an element of reasoning or justification for the assumption.

one could reasonably expect that

Implies a rational basis for the expectation, adding a layer of justification.

it stood to reason that

Suggests a logical deduction or inference based on available information.

the expectation was that

Focuses on the general expectation, rather than a personal assessment of likelihood.

it was inferable that

Implies a conclusion drawn from evidence, often in a more analytical context.

FAQs

How can I use "seemed likely that" in a sentence?

Use "seemed likely that" to indicate a probable outcome based on the information available at the time. For example, "Given the weather conditions, it "seemed likely that" the game would be canceled".

What phrases are similar to "seemed likely that"?

Alternatives include "appeared probable that", "was expected that", or "seemed probable that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "seemed likely that" or "was likely that"?

"Seemed likely that" suggests an assessment based on observation or evidence, while "was likely that" simply states a probability. "Seemed" adds a degree of subjectivity or perspective.

When should I avoid using "seemed likely that"?

Avoid using "seemed likely that" when expressing a confirmed fact or a strongly supported conclusion. In such cases, a more definitive statement would be appropriate.