“How to Use ‘Be Likely To’ in English: Mastering Probability in Everyday Speech”

Introduction

When talking about future possibilities or the chances of something happening, English offers several ways to express probability. One of the most natural and widely used expressions is “be likely to.” This phrase helps speakers indicate how probable an event or action is, based on reasoning, observation, or evidence. Whether you're writing formally or speaking casually, mastering “be likely to” can significantly enhance the clarity and precision of your English.

In this article, we’ll explore the meaning, structure, usage, common mistakes, and variations of “be likely to”, with examples and explanations designed for learners at all levels.

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What Does “Be Likely To” Mean?

The phrase “be likely to” is used to describe a high probability that something will happen or is true. It suggests that there is a good chance of an event taking place, though it’s not 100% certain.

Definition:

Be likely to = there is a strong chance or high possibility that something will happen or be the case.

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Sentence Structure

The phrase includes the verb "to be" followed by "likely to" and then a base verb.
The verb "to be" is conjugated depending on the subject and tense.

Structure:

[Subject] + [correct form of “to be”] + likely to + [base verb]

Examples:

• She is likely to win the competition.

• They are likely to arrive late.

• He was likely to forget his keys.

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When and How to Use “Be Likely To”

1. To Make Predictions Based on Evidence or Reasoning

Use this phrase when there’s a logical reason or observable clue suggesting something will happen.

Examples:

• With these clouds, it is likely to rain soon.

• Given his skills, he is likely to get the job.

2. To Express Personal or Expert Opinions

It’s also common in formal contexts like journalism, science, or academic writing.

Examples:

• The study suggests that students who sleep well are likely to perform better.

• Experts say the economy is likely to recover next year.

3. To Talk About Past Likelihood

You can use it in the past by changing the form of “to be.”

Examples:

• She was likely to leave early because of the traffic.

• They were likely to cancel the event due to the storm.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Correction	Explanation
He likely to fail.	He is likely to fail.	Missing verb “is”
They was likely to go.	They were likely to go.	Subject-verb agreement
She is likely win.	She is likely to win.	Missing “to” before base verb

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Be Likely To vs. Other Similar Expressions

Expression	Meaning	Example
Be likely to	Strong chance/probability	He is likely to succeed.
Might / May	Lower certainty	She might come to the party.
Be sure to	Near certainty	He is sure to be there on time.
Be bound to	Very high certainty	You are bound to enjoy the show.

💡 Tip: Use “be likely to” when you're reasonably confident, but don’t want to sound overly certain.

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Variations & Formal Usage

“Be likely to” can be softened or emphasized with adverbs like very, highly, not, or quite.

Examples:

• It is highly likely to happen.

• He is not likely to agree with the plan.

• She is quite likely to change her mind.

These modifiers help you express degrees of probability more precisely, which is especially useful in formal or professional communication.

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Quiz Time: Test Your Understanding

Choose the correct form of the sentence:

❌ She likely to win the award.
✅ She is likely to win the award.

❌ They is likely to arrive late.
✅ They are likely to arrive late.

❌ He is likely win.
✅ He is likely to win.

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Real-Life Practice

Use the prompts below to write your own sentences with “be likely to”:

• With all this noise, the baby...

• If it keeps raining, the game...

• Based on her experience, she...

Try writing at least 3 sentences using “be likely to” today. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel!

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Conclusion

The expression “be likely to” is a powerful and flexible tool in English for discussing probability. It helps you sound thoughtful, nuanced, and professional in your speech and writing. Whether you're making predictions, giving opinions, or analyzing situations, using this phrase correctly can greatly enhance your communication.

Next time you want to talk about what’s probably going to happen, remember this phrase and use it with confidence.

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Final Thought

Are you likely to share this article with your fellow English learners?
If you found this helpful, leave a comment using “be likely to” in a sentence—and let’s learn from each other!