Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
you will likely need
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "you will likely need" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when suggesting that something is probable or expected in a future situation. For example, "Before starting the project, you will likely need to gather all necessary materials." Alternative expressions include "you may need" and "you might need."
✓ Grammatically correct
Wiki
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
For a room on a weekend, you will likely need to book far ahead.
News & Media
He acknowledges the reality that when starting out you will likely need to do everything for yourself or with a small team.
You will likely need both a financial planner and a lawyer that specialises in estates, and possibly an accountant to review tax ramifications.
News & Media
To complete the process, you will likely need to provide documentation to validate certain info on your FAFSA.
News & Media
You will likely need a membership.
Wiki
You will likely need at least $1000.
Wiki
You will likely need equal numbers of each piece.
Wiki
You will likely need 4 packs of foam tiles.
Wiki
You will likely need to have it cleaned.
Wiki
If you are using a laptop computer, you will likely need to purchase an external drive.
Wiki
Courses and training are available at colleges and you will likely need to obtain certification.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Place the adverb "likely" between the auxiliary verb "will" and the main verb "need" to maintain a natural flow and proper adverb placement.
Common error
Do not use the construction "you will likely to need" as this incorrectly blends two different grammatical structures. Either use "you will likely need" or "you are "likely to need"".
Source & Trust
68%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "you will likely need" functions as a predictive verb phrase that indicates a future necessity or requirement. According to Ludwig AI, it combines the future tense marker "will" with the modal adverb "likely" to qualify the strength of the prediction, followed by the transitive verb "need".
Frequent in
Wiki & How-to Guides
70%
News & Media
15%
Science & Research
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
3%
Academia
1%
Reference Materials
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In conclusion, "you will likely need" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase used to signal future requirements with a high degree of probability. Ludwig AI demonstrates its vast prevalence in instructional writing, particularly within WikiHow and News & Media outlets like the BBC. It strikes a perfect balance between being informative and maintaining a helpful tone. Writers should feel confident using it to guide readers through complex processes, though they should be careful not to confuse it with the adjectival form ""likely to need"". Overall, it is a staple of clear, predictive English communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
you will probably need
uses a different adverb of probability that is slightly more common in everyday speech
you are likely to need
shifts the structure to an adjectival form, offering a slightly more formal tone
you will most likely need
increases the level of certainty by adding a superlative modifier
you may need
uses a modal verb of possibility, expressing a lower degree of certainty than the original phrase
you will possibly need
suggests a lower probability compared to the term likely
you might require
replaces the common verb need with the more formal require and uses might for tentative possibility
you'll likely require
uses a contraction for a more conversational tone while opting for a more formal verb
you will probably have to
emphasizes the obligation or necessity more than the simple requirement
you will likely want
shifts the focus from a strict necessity to a desirable preference
one will likely need
uses the impersonal pronoun one for a highly formal or academic style
FAQs
How to use "you will likely need" in a sentence?
The phrase is typically used to predict a future requirement. For example, "If you travel abroad, "you will likely need" a universal power adapter".
What can I say instead of "you will likely need"?
Depending on the tone you want, you can use "you will probably need" for general use or "you might require" for more formal contexts.
What is the difference between "you will likely need" and "you may need"?
The main difference is the level of certainty. ""you will likely need"" suggests a high probability, while "you may need" expresses a more balanced possibility that it might or might not happen.
Is "you will likely need" formal or informal?
It is generally considered neutral. It is widely used in news, instructional guides and professional advice, making it suitable for almost any context except the most rigid academic papers where "it is probable that" might be preferred.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
68%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested