was likely not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was likely not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a belief or assumption about something that probably did not happen or is not true. Example: "The project was likely not completed on time due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sunday night was likely not Thornton's last game.

The Guardian - Sport

The snowy weather was likely not the cause, he said.

The New York Times

Indeed, there was likely not just one city here, but at least 10.

The Guardian

It was likely not coincidental that the essay appeared on September 11th.

The New Yorker

But the most enduring moment of the evening was likely not Trump's battery of his Republican opponents.

The New Yorker

"The largest cost of executive pay arrangements was likely not the excess pay itself," Mr. Bebchuk said.

The New York Times

Even before Election Day, his advisers had said he was likely not to run again for minority leader.

The New York Times

The presence of this difference at d 0 indicated that it was likely not a treatment effect but rather an initial bias in the cow population.

Journal of Dairy Science

One senior U.S. government official told me recently that the fall of the Venezuelan government was likely "not a matter of if but when".

The New Yorker

A producer and recording engineer I discussed the clip with noted that this was likely not the only example of such a practice.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His tribulations are likely not over.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was likely not", ensure the context clearly indicates the basis for your assessment of likelihood. Providing supporting evidence strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was likely not" when you have definitive evidence. This phrase implies uncertainty, so use stronger language if you possess concrete proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was likely not" functions as an epistemic modal, expressing a degree of uncertainty or probability. It is used to indicate that something is considered improbable based on available information or reasoning. As Ludwig AI explains, its grammatical status is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was likely not" is a versatile phrase used to express a degree of uncertainty or improbability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. The phrase functions as an epistemic modal, allowing speakers and writers to convey reasoned opinions without claiming absolute certainty. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide context and avoid using it when definitive evidence is available. Alternatives include "probably wasn't" and "unlikely to be", though "was likely not" maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably wasn't

Uses a contraction and simpler vocabulary to convey a similar meaning, suggesting a strong possibility that something did not occur.

most likely did not

Adds emphasis with "most", strengthening the assertion that something did not happen.

unlikely to be

Employs a more formal tone, indicating a low probability of something being the case.

not expected to be

Focuses on expectations, suggesting that something did not align with anticipated outcomes.

hardly probable

Uses a more emphatic and slightly less common expression to denote low likelihood.

not very probable

Emphasizes the low degree of probability with the addition of the adverb "very".

it's doubtful that

Introduces a level of doubt, framing the statement as an opinion or belief.

there's little chance of

Highlights the limited possibility of something happening.

not anticipated to be

Similar to "not expected to be", but emphasizes the lack of prior anticipation.

it's improbable that

Uses the term "improbable" to convey a sense of unlikelihood, often in more formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was likely not" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, you might consider alternatives such as "unlikely to be", "improbable that", or "not anticipated to be" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "was likely not" the same as "probably wasn't"?

While both convey a similar sense of improbability, "was likely not" is generally perceived as slightly more formal than "probably wasn't", which is more conversational.

When should I use "was likely not" instead of "was not likely"?

"Was likely not" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Was not likely" is grammatically correct, but it's less idiomatic and might sound awkward in most contexts. "Was likely not" is the preferred construction.

What does "was likely not" imply about the speaker's certainty?

Using "was likely not" indicates that the speaker believes something is improbable but lacks definitive proof. It suggests an informed opinion based on available evidence, rather than absolute certainty.