would be likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be likely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a probability or expectation regarding a future event or situation. Example: "If the weather continues to be this warm, it would be likely that we will see an early spring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Retaliatory tariffs would be likely.

The Economist

More gridlock would be likely to follow.

The New York Times

Many parents would be likely to disagree.

The Guardian

Frankfurt or Paris would be likely alternatives.

The New York Times

I would be likely to say, "Oh, that was cool".

The New York Times

"That would be likely," the senior official added.

The New York Times

Turbulence and strong gusts of winds would be likely.

The Guardian

The results would be likely to be very uneven.

The Guardian - Money

No patch club would be likely to argue with this.

The Guardian

(Both would be likely to serve in an Obama Administration).

The New Yorker

The bandwidth for accepted behavior would be likely to broaden".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be likely" to express a reasonable expectation based on current conditions or available evidence. For instance, "Given the current trends, a market correction "would be likely" in the near future."

Common error

Avoid overuse; balance with active constructions for directness. For example, instead of "Mistakes "would be likely" to be made", try "People are likely to make mistakes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be likely" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing probability or expectation. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage across diverse contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be likely" is a common and grammatically correct way to express probability or expectation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used across various contexts, with a prevalence in news, scientific, and academic sources. Alternatives include phrases such as "is expected to" or "is probable". While "would be likely" is generally appropriate, mindful use balancing with active voice constructions is advised to maintain clarity and impact. Its versatility makes it a valuable asset in expressing nuanced predictions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would probably happen

Replaces 'be likely' with 'probably happen', emphasizing the event's likelihood.

is anticipated to

Similar to 'is expected to', but can carry a stronger sense of foresight or planning.

is expected to occur

Substitutes 'would be likely' with a more formal 'is expected', suitable for professional contexts.

has a high probability of

Replaces the phrase with a more explicit statement of probability.

is apt to

Indicates a natural or habitual tendency, similar to 'prone to' but slightly more formal.

is prone to

Implies a natural tendency or susceptibility, differing from a simple likelihood.

is foreseeable that

Highlights the predictability of an event, emphasizing that it can be seen in advance.

it is plausible that

Suggests that something is believable or credible, rather than simply likely.

is liable to

Indicates a risk or potential negative consequence, adding a layer of concern not present in the original phrase.

can be reasonably assumed

Highlights the role of logical inference and expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "would be likely" in a sentence?

The phrase "would be likely" suggests a probable outcome based on certain conditions. For example, "If the weather stays warm, an early spring "would be likely"".

What are some alternatives to "would be likely"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is expected to", "is probable", or "is anticipated", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "would be likely" or "is likely"?

The choice depends on the context. "Is likely" generally refers to a current probability, while "would be likely" often describes a hypothetical or future probability. For example, "Rain is likely today" versus "If it gets colder, snow "would be likely"".

What's the difference between "would be likely" and "could be likely"?

"Would be likely" implies a higher degree of probability based on certain conditions, while "could be likely" suggests a possibility but with less certainty. "Could be likely" indicates something is possible, but not necessarily probable.