that seems likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a belief or opinion that something is probable or has a good chance of happening. Example: "Given the current trends in the market, that seems likely to be the outcome of the negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

At the moment, that seems likely.

The New York Times

Given the sustained growth of OA policies, that seems likely if this section becomes standard.

Harvard University

This is a work that seems likely to blossom with repeated listening.

The New York Times

It is a process that seems likely to survive Spurs' season of flux.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not a book that seems likely to gain a wide audience anytime soon.

The Guardian - Books

At least 122 people died, a number that seems likely to rise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Does that seem likely?

The Washington Post

Workshop 3A focussed on matters of institutional design that seem likely to improve public transport outcomes.

Research in Transportation Economics

Submissions that seem likely to stimulate discussion about the direction of programming language research are encouraged.

Princeton University

And they threatened to block any spending that seemed likely to breach that treaty.

The New York Times

We have tweaked the paragraph that seemed likely to be the cause of the muddle.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that seems likely" to express a reasoned judgment about a future event or situation, based on current knowledge or trends. This phrase strikes a balance between certainty and acknowledgment of uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "that seems likely" when you have concrete evidence or proof. In such cases, a more definitive statement would be appropriate. This phrase is best suited for situations where prediction is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems likely" functions as an epistemic stance marker, indicating the speaker's assessment of the probability of a particular outcome or event. It conveys a sense of reasoned expectation without absolute certainty, similar to the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

21%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that seems likely" serves as a useful tool for expressing a belief in the probability of an event. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While not overly formal, it is suitable for expressing a reasoned judgment based on available information. Remember to avoid overstating certainty and choose more decisive language when concrete evidence is available. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is appropriate for conveying an informed, yet cautious, prediction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that appears probable

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "likely" with "probable", offering a more formal tone.

that appears plausible

Substitutes "likely" with "plausible", suggesting the outcome is believable or credible.

that is a distinct possibility

Replaces "seems likely" with a stronger emphasis on the possibility of the event occurring.

that is to be expected

Indicates the outcome aligns with expectations based on current conditions or past trends.

that is quite probable

Emphasizes the high likelihood of the event using "quite probable".

that will likely happen

Changes the structure to a future tense, directly stating the expected occurrence.

that could very well happen

Suggests a significant possibility with a touch of uncertainty.

the odds favor that

Implies a statistical advantage for the outcome, based on known data or circumstances.

it's reasonable to expect that

Introduces a logical basis for anticipating the event, emphasizing reason over pure chance.

it stands to reason that

Indicates the outcome is a logical conclusion given the available information.

FAQs

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

Use "that seems likely" to express your opinion or belief that something is probable or has a good chance of happening. For example, "Given the current trends in the market, "that seems likely" to be the outcome of the negotiations."

What can I say instead of "that seems likely"?

You can use alternatives like "that appears probable", "that appears plausible", or "that is a distinct possibility" depending on the context.

Is "that seems likely" formal or informal?

"That seems likely" is generally considered to be neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "that appears probable" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What is the difference between "that seems likely" and "that is certain"?

"That seems likely" indicates a degree of probability, while "that is certain" implies a guarantee. Use ""that seems likely"" when you believe something is probable but not guaranteed, and "that is certain" when you have definitive proof or evidence.