very likely a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very likely a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a high probability or strong likelihood of something being true or occurring. Example: "Based on the evidence presented, it is very likely a case of fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The food is very likely a factor.

The New York Times - Travel

"It's very likely a little bit of both".

The New York Times

What we'll be left with is very likely a profound transformation in America's healthcare system.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was very likely a legitimate Tin Pan Alley or vaudeville theater.

The New York Times

The agent of our misery was a virus, very likely a type of norovirus.

The New York Times - Science

For all that, "Inside Out" was, very likely, a formulaic trivialization even in its time.

The New York Times

Dr. Gail Saltz, psychoanalyst: "I don't think it's very likely a terrorist would seek treatment.

The New Yorker

Part of that is very likely a result of his being a less effective player now.

The New York Times - Sports

Eleanor Roosevelt, for example, was a courageous leader who was very likely a sitter.

The New York Times

A few teachers assured them that it was very likely a mistake.

The New York Times

Rather than reflecting fundamentally different essences, they are very likely a product of our environments, which can and do change.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very likely a" when you want to express a strong probability or a high degree of certainty about something without stating it as an absolute fact.

Common error

Avoid using "very likely a" when the evidence is weak or speculative. Overstating the likelihood can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very likely a" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with an adjective and an article, used to express a high degree of probability or expectation. Ludwig provides examples from diverse sources illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very likely a" serves as a versatile tool for expressing strong probability across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news, scientific, and academic sources underscore its reliability and adaptability. While alternatives such as "most likely a" and "highly probable that" offer similar shades of meaning, "very likely a" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports a high degree of probability without overstating the certainty, and remember to adjust the register according to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most likely a

Indicates the highest degree of probability among several possibilities.

almost certainly a

Indicates near certainty, leaving very little room for doubt.

probably a

A simpler and more direct way of expressing likelihood.

highly probable that

Emphasizes the high degree of probability, focusing on the likelihood of an event.

likely to be a

A more verbose alternative focusing on the potential state or identity.

quite possibly a

Suggests a good chance of something happening, but with slightly less certainty.

in all probability a

A more formal way of expressing a strong likelihood.

very possibly a

Similar to 'quite possibly', indicating a reasonable chance but without strong assurance.

potentially a

Highlights the possibility of something developing into a certain state.

conceivably a

Suggests that something is possible but not necessarily probable.

FAQs

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

The phrase "very likely a" is used to express a strong probability. For example, "The delay is "very likely a" result of the weather conditions".

What are some alternatives to "very likely a"?

You can use alternatives such as "most likely a", "highly probable that", or "almost certainly a" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "very likely a"?

Use "very likely a" when you want to indicate a strong possibility based on available evidence, but without absolute certainty. It's stronger than "probably" but weaker than "certainly".

Is "very likely a" formal or informal?

The phrase "very likely a" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might prefer alternatives like "in all probability" or "highly probable".