well likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well likely" is not commonly used in written English and is not considered grammatically correct.
It is often used in informal spoken language, but should be avoided in written communication. Instead, consider using alternatives such as "probably" or "most likely" which are more appropriate and widely accepted in written language. Example: "Well likely, we'll finish the project by next week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Beatriz was doomed as well, likely to die giving birth.

The New York Times

So far June has been very hot as well, likely to end up warmer than May.

The Guardian

What's more, they were less well likely by their counterparts, a fact that may have diminished their ability to engage in future joint value creation.

Harvard University

Well likely because Pope Sixtus V, in the Renaissance, used this column, and also the column of the later emperor, Marcus Aurelius, as important nodes in his reconstruction of the city of Rome.

Yale University

However, it seems likely that human influence had a lot to do with the disappearances as well, likely through a variety of factors including hunting, habitat destruction and competition for resources.

The Washington Post

Chicago and Washington D.C. will get the service officially as well, likely not long after Baltimore.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Donald Young, who did manage to beat Murray earlier this year at Indian Wells, likely doesn't have the firepower to oust the Scotsman at a Grand Slam, but Isner does.

The New York Times

People without power who have water wells (likely toxic to one degree or another in the first place) can't pump water.

Huffington Post

Deeper downgradient wells likely intersect flowpaths with older groundwater that is less affected by anthropogenic contaminants.

Ground Water

Consequently, public-supply wells likely capture more young groundwater from the shallow part of the aquifer during summer than during winter.

Ground Water

Well, most likely.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more conventional phrases like "most likely" or "probably" in formal writing to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid combining adverbs and adjectives in a way that creates ungrammatical or awkward phrasing. "Well" typically modifies verbs, not adjectives directly. So, avoid using "well" before adjectives when expressing probability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well likely" functions as an attempt to modify an adjective with an adverb to express probability. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this combination is not grammatically standard.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "well likely" appears in various contexts, including news, science, and academia, it is considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, opting for alternatives like "most likely" or "probably" will enhance clarity and credibility, particularly in formal writing. Although some authoritative sources use it, its infrequent and inconsistent usage makes it advisable to use more standard expressions to convey probability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most likely

This alternative is a more standard and grammatically accepted way to express probability or expectation.

very likely

This alternative emphasizes a higher degree of probability compared to the original phrase.

probably

This alternative is a single-word substitute that conveys a sense of likelihood or probability.

in all likelihood

This alternative offers a more formal and emphatic way of expressing probability.

quite likely

This alternative suggests a noticeable or considerable probability.

presumably

This alternative indicates that something is likely based on presumption or available evidence.

it is probable that

This alternative uses a formal sentence structure to express probability.

chances are

This alternative is an idiomatic expression indicating a high degree of likelihood.

liable to

This alternative suggests a tendency or susceptibility toward a particular outcome.

bound to

This alternative indicates a high degree of certainty or inevitability.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "well likely"?

You can use alternatives like "most likely", "very likely", or "probably" depending on the context.

Is "well likely" grammatically correct?

No, "well likely" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. It's better to use phrases like "most likely" or "probably".

How to use "most likely" in a sentence?

You can use "most likely" to express a high probability. For example, "We are most likely to finish the project on time".

What's the difference between "probably" and "well likely"?

"Probably" is a standard adverb indicating a good chance of something happening, while "well likely" is not grammatically accepted in standard English and is less clear in meaning.