very likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"very likely" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express a high degree of certainty that something is true or will happen. For example: "It is very likely that the new tax law will be passed by Congress this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very likely, in fact.

The New Yorker

Neither is very likely.

The Economist

involvement seems very likely.

The New York Times

Not very likely".

The New York Times

He's very likely right.

The New York Times

Very likely it is both.

The New York Times - Sports

Very likely no one has.

The New York Times

But it's not very likely.

The Economist

PINTER -- Very likely.

The New York Times

It very likely did.

The New York Times

It very likely does.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very likely" when you want to express a strong degree of probability without absolute certainty. It's suitable for situations where you have good reason to believe something will happen or is true, but there's still a small chance it might not be.

Common error

Avoid using "very likely" when the outcome is virtually guaranteed. In such cases, stronger terms like "certain" or "undoubtedly" are more appropriate. "Very likely" implies a small degree of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very likely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It expresses a high degree of probability or expectation regarding an event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage indicates strong possibility without absolute certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very likely" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong probability. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts. It is versatile, appearing frequently in News & Media, Academic, and Formal & Business settings. While synonyms such as "highly probable" or "most likely" exist, "very likely" strikes a balance between informality and professionalism. When using this phrase, avoid overstating certainty; reserve it for situations where a reasonable degree of possibility exists, but complete assurance is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly probable

Emphasizes the high degree of probability, similar to "very likely" but with a more formal tone.

almost certainly

Expresses a very high degree of confidence, implying near certainty.

in all likelihood

A more formal and emphatic alternative to "very likely".

most likely

Indicates the highest probability among several possibilities, similar to "very likely" in many contexts.

quite probable

Expresses a good chance of something happening, similar to "very likely" but slightly less emphatic.

expected to be

Indicates something is anticipated or predicted to happen, with a slightly different focus than "very likely".

assuredly

A confident and somewhat formal way of saying something is very likely or certain.

odds are

An idiomatic way of saying something is probable, less formal than "very likely".

it stands to reason

Suggests a logical conclusion, implying a high probability based on reasoning.

presumed to be

Suggests something is accepted as true based on available evidence, carrying a nuance of assumption.

FAQs

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

"Very likely" is typically used to express a high probability. For example, "It is "very likely" that the meeting will be postponed due to the weather" or "She is "very likely" to get the job with her experience".

What are some alternatives to "very likely"?

Alternatives include "highly probable", "most likely", "in all likelihood", and "almost certainly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "very likely" or "highly likely"?

Both "very likely" and "highly likely" are acceptable and convey a similar meaning. "Highly likely" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal.

Can "very likely" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "very likely" is suitable for formal writing. However, in some cases, a more sophisticated alternative like "in all likelihood" or "highly probable" might be preferred depending on the context and the desired tone.