very likely that

USAGE SUMMARY

"very likely that" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to express a high degree of probability. For example, "It is very likely that the candidate will win the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's very likely that will trigger the next crisis as governments have been stretched so wide".

The New Yorker

"It is very likely that these will end up like the banlieues in France," said Adanalı.

The Guardian

It isn't very likely that they will.

The New York Times

"But yes, it's very likely that it provoked that reaction.

The Guardian

It is not very likely that he is going anywhere.

The New York Times - Sports

It's very likely that it's not going to happen.

The New York Times

Instead, it seemed very likely that "Finlandia" had been misspelled.

The New York Times

So it seems very likely that this is not a Severan arch but a Tiberian arch.

Yale University

"I didn't think it was very likely that I would be chosen.

Stanford University

While not yet proven, it is very likely that irisin has similar effects in humans.

Harvard University

During all of these activities, it's very likely that you are being recorded on video.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very likely that" when you want to express a strong probability based on available evidence or understanding. It suggests a high degree of confidence in a particular outcome or conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "very likely that" when the evidence is weak or speculative. Overstating certainty can undermine your credibility if the outcome proves otherwise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very likely that" functions as a probability marker, indicating a high degree of certainty or expectation regarding a particular outcome. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in predicting future events, assessing potential risks, and drawing conclusions based on available evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very likely that" is a common and correct phrase used to express a high degree of probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. When writing, use "very likely that" when you want to convey a strong belief or prediction based on available evidence. While versatile, avoid overstating certainty when the evidence is weak. Consider alternatives like "highly probable that" for more formal contexts or when emphasizing the strength of the probability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly probable that

Replaces "very likely" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the same level of certainty.

quite likely that

Uses "quite" instead of "very", offering a slightly less emphatic but similar degree of likelihood.

most likely that

Emphasizes that this is the most probable outcome among several possibilities.

probable that

Shortens the phrase while retaining the core meaning of something being likely.

it is expected that

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than likelihood, but conveys a similar sense of anticipation.

it is anticipated that

Similar to "it is expected that" but suggests a more formal or professional context.

chances are high that

More informal way of expressing a high probability, often used in casual conversation.

it seems almost certain that

Conveys a stronger sense of certainty than "very likely", suggesting a near-definite outcome.

it's reasonable to assume that

Introduces an element of assumption based on available evidence, implying a high probability.

one can expect that

Replaces the idea of likelihood with expectation, maintaining a formal tone.

FAQs

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

Use "very likely that" to introduce a situation or outcome that is highly probable. For example, "It's "very likely that" the meeting will be postponed due to the weather".

What are some alternatives to "very likely that"?

You can use alternatives such as "highly probable that", "quite likely that", or "most likely that" to express a similar level of probability.

Is "very likely that" formal or informal?

"Very likely that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might consider using "highly probable that".

What's the difference between "likely that" and "very likely that"?

"Very likely that" indicates a stronger degree of probability compared to simply "likely that". The addition of "very" emphasizes a higher level of confidence in the expected outcome.