The expression be likely to is commonly used in English to talk about something that will probably happen. It helps you make predictions, describe possibilities, and express expectations without saying that something is certain.
For example, you can say, “It is likely to rain tomorrow” or “She is likely to pass the exam.” Both sentences express something that is expected to happen, but not guaranteed.
In this guide, you will learn how to use be likely to in English, including its meaning, grammatical structure, common uses, and example sentences. You will also discover how it differs from similar expressions and how to avoid common mistakes.
Table of Contents
What Does Be Likely To Mean?
Be likely to means that something is probable or expected to happen based on available information, evidence, or circumstances.
It is used when there is a reasonable possibility that an event will occur, but the outcome is not completely certain.
Examples:
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She is likely to get the job.
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They are likely to arrive late.
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It is likely to snow tonight.
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He is likely to win the competition.
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Prices are likely to increase next year.
In each example, the speaker believes that something will probably happen.
Be Likely To: Meaning and Sentence Structure
The basic grammatical structure is:
Subject + be (am/is/are) + likely + to + base form of verb
|
Subject |
Be + Likely To |
Main Verb |
|---|---|---|
|
I |
am likely to |
succeed |
|
She |
is likely to |
win |
|
He |
is likely to |
arrive |
|
We |
are likely to |
travel |
|
They |
are likely to |
agree |
The verb be changes according to the subject and tense, while likely to is followed by the base form of the verb.
For example:
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Present: She is likely to succeed.
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Past: She was likely to succeed.
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Future: She will be likely to succeed.
The expression can be used in different tenses to describe probability and expectations.
How to Use Be Likely To in English
The expression be likely to is useful in several situations, particularly when making predictions, expressing expectations, or discussing probable outcomes.
1. Making Predictions
Use be likely to when you believe something will happen in the future.
Structure: Subject + am/is/are + likely to + base verb
Examples:
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The weather is likely to improve tomorrow.
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She is likely to become a successful writer.
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They are likely to finish the project soon.
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The train is likely to arrive on time.
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Technology is likely to change the way we work.
2. Expressing Probability
Use be likely to to describe something that has a good chance of happening.
Examples:
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Students who practice regularly are likely to improve.
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He is likely to accept the offer.
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The company is likely to expand its business.
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You are likely to feel tired after a long journey.
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This method is likely to produce better results.
3. Describing Expected Outcomes
You can also use be likely to when discussing the expected results of actions or situations.
Examples:
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Eating too much sugar is likely to affect your health.
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Regular exercise is likely to improve your fitness.
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Poor preparation is likely to lead to mistakes.
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Learning new vocabulary is likely to improve your communication skills.
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Heavy traffic is likely to cause delays.
These examples show how the expression connects an action or situation with a probable result.
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