we were likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were likely to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a probability or expectation regarding a future event or situation. Example: "Given the circumstances, we were likely to encounter some challenges during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

I voted yes to the contract in May because, with the tumult surrounding Brexit, it felt like the best deal we were likely to get.

The Guardian - Opinion

We knew we were likely to be good at it".

The New York Times

We were likely to be in Florida under any scenario".

The New York Times

We went into the game knowing we were likely to lose and lose heavily.

The Guardian - Sport

Clutching the grab bag and defibrillator I headed toward the scene, considering what we were likely to find.

The Guardian

Not long ago, the only question about the Lib Dems' performance in the next Westminster election was how many seats we were likely to lose.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

— will allow advertisers to better target us with books we're likely to like.

The New Yorker

We like X, meaning we're likely to hate Y.

TechCrunch

We're likely to see at least another six months of more jobs reports like this".

The New York Times

"We are likely to be surprised".

The New York Times

"We're likely to see additional deterioration".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were likely to" when expressing a reasonable expectation based on available information or past experiences. It's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "likely" in situations where a more direct or confident statement is appropriate. Sometimes, stronger verbs can convey a more decisive tone. For example, instead of "we were likely to succeed", consider "we would succeed" if you're confident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were likely to" functions as a verb phrase expressing probability or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The examples illustrate its use in forecasting potential outcomes based on existing conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were likely to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating a probable future outcome or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's prevalent in contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral in register, writers should be mindful of potentially overusing it in overly formal situations and should choose stronger, more direct verbs if the situation allows for a more forceful tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were probably going to

Replaces "likely" with "probably", indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty.

we were expected to

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than inherent likelihood.

it was probable that we would

Transforms the phrase into a more formal and distanced construction.

we anticipated that we would

Emphasizes anticipation based on prior knowledge or assumptions.

we foresaw that we would

Implies a degree of prediction or foresight about a future event.

we had a high chance of

Replaces the original with a phrase focusing on probability.

the odds were in favor of us

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the likelihood of something.

chances were high that we would

Similar to "high chance", but uses a different idiomatic expression.

we stood a good chance of

Uses the verb "stood" to suggest having a favorable position for something to happen.

we could reasonably expect to

Adds a degree of reasonableness or justification to the expectation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were likely to" in a formal context?

In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "it was probable that we would" or "we anticipated that we would" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

What's a more casual way to say "we were likely to"?

For informal situations, you could say "we were probably going to" or "chances were high that we would". These options are less formal and more conversational.

Is there a difference between "we were likely to" and "we were expected to"?

"We were likely to" suggests a natural probability based on circumstances, while "we were expected to" implies an external expectation or obligation. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize probability or expectation.

When should I avoid using "we were likely to"?

Avoid using "we were likely to" when you want to express certainty or a firm commitment. In such cases, stronger phrases like "we would" or "we were certain to" are more appropriate. Also, avoid overuse in overly formal documents.