were likely

USAGE SUMMARY

"were likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is probable or seems likely to happen. For example: "The researchers suspected that the results of the experiment were likely to be accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were likely higher costs, though.

The New York Times

He said more arrests were likely.

The New York Times

Almost all were likely to remain so.

The Economist

They were likely trapped inside the cabin.

The New Yorker

The bank said future losses were likely.

The New York Times

The facsimiles were likely destroyed.

The New Yorker

Those results were likely to change.

The New York Times

One was married, so complications were likely.

The New York Times

The games were likely to be crazy.

The New Yorker

The causes were likely to be complex.

The Guardian

They were likely glad they did.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were likely" to express a moderate degree of probability, indicating that something is more probable than not, but not certain. It's suitable for situations where you have evidence or reason to believe something will happen or is true.

Common error

Avoid using "were likely" when you have definitive proof or evidence. In such cases, use stronger terms like "were certain" or "were confirmed" to reflect the higher level of assurance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were likely" functions as a linking verb phrase connecting the subject to a predicate adjective, indicating a state of probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, with numerous examples showing its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were likely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a moderate degree of probability. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While conveying that something is probable, it's essential to avoid confusing it with absolute certainty. Related phrases include "seemed likely" and "appeared likely", offering similar nuanced expressions. Understanding its appropriate use ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were probable

Emphasizes a higher degree of certainty; interchangeable in many contexts.

seemed likely

Indicates the likelihood is based on observation or initial assessment.

appeared likely

Similar to "seemed likely", but may imply a more superficial assessment.

were expected to

Suggests a prediction or anticipation of an event.

were anticipated to

More formal than "were expected to", implying a careful consideration of the possibilities.

were inclined to

Indicates a tendency or predisposition toward something.

were predisposed to

Similar to "were inclined to", but suggests a stronger inherent tendency.

were apt to

Implies a natural or habitual tendency.

were liable to

Suggests a possibility of something undesirable occurring.

could be expected to

Expresses expectation but with a degree of uncertainty or conditionality.

FAQs

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

You can use "were likely" to express that something was probable or had a high chance of occurring. For instance, "The delays "were likely" due to the storm" suggests that the storm was a probable cause of the delays.

What are some alternatives to "were likely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "seemed likely", "appeared likely", or "were probable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "was likely" instead of "were likely"?

No, "was likely" is used with singular nouns or pronouns, while "were likely" is used with plural nouns or pronouns. For example, "The outcome was likely" (singular) vs. "The outcomes "were likely"" (plural).

How does "were likely" differ from "were possibly"?

"Were likely" indicates a higher degree of probability than "were possibly". "Were likely" suggests a good chance of something happening, while "were possibly" indicates that something is merely a potentiality.