will be likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be likely to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing the probability of a certain event or outcome happening. For example: "The economy will be likely to improve in the coming months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Human being) will be likely to go up to the outer space by an elevator by 2050.

Lingua Sinica

2050__year__FUT__may/might__take__elevator__go up__outer space (Human being) will be likely to go up to the outer space by an elevator by 2050.  .

Lingua Sinica

Still, the fire will be likely to affect places like Eddy's Bake Shop.

The New York Times

They begin to ask questions like: Which customers will be likely to switch to a competitor?

Harvard Business Review

Such voters will be likely to regret earlier decisions.

The Washington Post

Over the weekend, showers will be likely to the north of Boston.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If the facts are of failure, America will be likely to shrink back into its shell.

The Economist

Mr Cherney will be likely to appear only via video link from his home in Israel.

Independent

Any effort to further limit the Miranda rule will be likely to face challenges.

The New York Times

This has to be confirmed in the long-term and after revision surgery that will be likely to occur.

Chirurgie de la Main

Any legislative delay now will be likely to terminate the project, and that must not be allowed to happen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be likely to" when you want to express a reasonable expectation about a future event based on current knowledge or trends. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences that are unnecessarily passive when using "will be likely to". Ensure the subject clearly performs the action rather than being acted upon. For example, instead of "Mistakes will be likely to be made", consider "People will be likely to make mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be likely to" serves as a modal construction indicating a future probability or expectation. As Ludwig AI explains, it expresses the likelihood of a future event based on present conditions or knowledge. Many examples confirm this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will be likely to" is a common and grammatically correct modal construction used to express the probability of a future event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. Its neutral register and frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its reliability. Alternatives like "is expected to" or "may well" offer similar meanings, but understanding the nuances of each can enhance precision in writing. Avoiding passive voice constructions and ensuring correct grammatical structure are key to using this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is expected to

Replaces "will be likely to" with a more direct expression of expectation.

may well

Uses a modal verb to express possibility and likelihood.

is probable that

Uses a formal construction expressing probability.

is anticipated to

Emphasizes anticipation of a future event.

can be expected to

Expresses an expectation based on established patterns or conditions.

is apt to

Offers a slightly more concise alternative indicating a natural tendency.

is liable to

Indicates a possibility or risk, often in a negative context.

is poised to

Suggests readiness or preparation for something to happen.

is prone to

Implies a susceptibility or tendency towards something.

is inclined to

Indicates a preference or inclination.

FAQs

How can I use "will be likely to" in a sentence?

Use "will be likely to" to express that something has a high probability of happening in the future, such as "The stock market "will be likely to" rise next quarter".

What are some alternatives to "will be likely to"?

You can use alternatives like "is expected to", "is probable that", or "may well", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "will likely be to" grammatically correct?

No, the correct form is "will be likely to". The placement of "likely" between "will be" and "to" is essential for proper grammatical structure.

What is the difference between "will be likely to" and "is likely to"?

"Will be likely to" refers to a future probability, while "is likely to" refers to a present or general probability. For example, "It is likely to rain today" suggests a current assessment, whereas "It "will be likely to" rain tomorrow" forecasts a future event.