which is likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is likely to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause expressing a probability or likelihood. For example: "The weather conditions, which are likely to be rainy tomorrow, will affect our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The war which is likely to break out shortly is not like the second world war.

The Guardian

which is likely to cause confusion..

Harvard University

Which is likely to have the longer term consequences?

The New Yorker

Which is likely to preserve the most jobs?

The Guardian - Opinion

A ROS is a highly volatile compound, which is likely to damage cells.

Stanford University

A palaeographer can help determine which is likely to be the most authentic.

The Guardian

Arcadia retained a further £40m of inter-company debt which is likely to be written off.

The Guardian - Business

None of which is likely to hurt City's prospects of springing a mild upset.

The Guardian - Sport

The deal still needs regulatory approval, which is likely to come this year.

The New York Times

$6 on registration, which is likely to include whatever online registration system they use.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's worth studying the options to determine which is likely to protect you the most.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is likely to" to introduce nonrestrictive clauses that add extra information about a noun or pronoun, indicating a probable outcome or consequence. Remember to set off the clause with commas.

Common error

Avoid using "that is likely to" when the clause is nonrestrictive (adds extra, non-essential information). "Which is likely to" is correct for nonrestrictive clauses, while "that" introduces restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is likely to" functions as a relative clause, specifically a nonrestrictive (or nonessential) clause. It modifies a noun or pronoun, providing additional information about it. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is likely to" serves as a versatile phrase for indicating probability within nonrestrictive clauses. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While the phrase enjoys broad applicability, remembering to use it in nonrestrictive clauses and differentiating it from "that is likely to" for restrictive clauses will enhance writing precision. The high frequency of this phrase underscores its importance in effectively conveying likely outcomes or consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that will likely

Focuses on the future occurrence of something with a high degree of probability, uses a more direct construction.

that is expected to

Indicates a belief or prediction about a future event, implying a degree of anticipation.

that is probable to

Emphasizes the likelihood of an event, often used in more formal contexts.

that could potentially

Highlights the possibility of something happening, suggesting it's not certain but possible.

that may well

Suggests a strong possibility or likelihood, often based on current circumstances.

with a good chance of

Indicates a favorable probability of something occurring, often in a less formal tone.

that is apt to

Implies a natural tendency or inclination towards a particular outcome.

that tends to

Describes a general pattern or habit, suggesting a common outcome.

that has the potential to

Highlights the possibility of future development or impact.

that is inclined to

Suggests a predisposition or leaning towards a particular action or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "which is likely to" in a sentence?

Use "which is likely to" to add a nonrestrictive clause indicating a probable outcome or consequence. For example, "The new policy, "which is likely to" increase efficiency, will be implemented next month."

What are some alternatives to "which is likely to"?

Alternatives include "that will likely", "that is expected to", or "that is probable to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "which is likely to" or "that is likely to"?

Use "which is likely to" for nonrestrictive clauses (those set off by commas) and "that is likely to" for restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning). For example, "The outcome "that is likely to" occur is positive."

What's the difference between "which is likely to" and "which is possible to"?

"Which is likely to" indicates a high probability or expectation, while "which is possible to" suggests something is merely feasible but not necessarily probable. The former implies a greater chance of occurrence.