Likely example sentences

"Likely" Example Sentences

You're likely to regret that decision if you don't think it through.
It's likely that the meeting will run over by at least thirty minutes.
Most likely, she won't even remember what you said by tomorrow.
The weather forecast says rain is likely this weekend, so bring an umbrella.
He's likely the best candidate for the job, honestly.
If you keep eating like that, you're likely going to feel sick.
They'll likely arrive sometime after dinner, knowing how traffic gets.
It's not likely that anyone will volunteer for that shift.
She seemed likely to cry at any moment during the funeral.
The company is likely to announce layoffs before the end of the quarter.
You're more likely to succeed if you actually prepare beforehand.
That outcome seems likely given everything we know so far.
He's likely been waiting there for hours by now.
Most people are likely unaware of how much data they're sharing.
The likely reason she didn't call is that she lost her phone.
If you keep pushing him, he's likely to walk away for good.
It's likely just a coincidence, but still kind of weird.
They're likely going to ask you the same questions again.
The likely culprit is someone who had access to the building.
You'll likely feel different about it once you've had some sleep.
That's not likely to happen anytime soon, unfortunately.
She's likely the only one who actually understands what's going on.
The likely outcome is that nobody will be happy with the decision.
If you don't show up, they're likely to give the role to someone else.
It's likely been weeks since we last talked about this properly.
He seemed likely to explode at any second during that conversation.
The likely reason for the delay is a problem with the supplier.
You're likely overthinking this way more than you need to.
Most likely, they'll just ignore the email like they always do.
It's likely that you'll never hear from them again after this.
She's likely going to be furious when she finds out the truth.
The likely scenario is that everything falls apart before launch.
If you ask him directly, he's likely to tell you the whole story.
It's likely just your anxiety talking, not reality.
They're likely already planning their next move against you.
The likely explanation is far simpler than you're making it.
You're likely the only person who actually cares about this anymore.
It's likely been a year since anyone checked on that project.
She's likely to regret saying those things once she calms down.
The likely outcome of all this is that nothing will actually change.

Common Phrases

likely to
most likely
very likely
likely outcome
likely reason
likely candidate
likely scenario
likely explanation
as likely as not
more likely than not
quite likely
highly likely

Examples by Level

It will likely rain tomorrow.
You are likely tired after school.
That dog is likely hungry now.

She'll likely call you back in an hour or two.
If you don't sleep, you're likely to get sick.
The bus is likely late again — it always is on Mondays.

He's likely overthinking the whole situation, if I'm being honest.
Given how things have been going, a promotion seems likely by spring.
You'll likely regret eating that much cake, but I understand the temptation.

The market downturn makes a recession likely, though economists remain cautiously optimistic.
She seemed likely to quit for months — nobody was surprised when she finally did.
It's likely that we've been approaching this problem from the wrong angle entirely.

The most likely explanation, though admittedly the least comforting, is that we simply didn't anticipate the scale of the shift.
What seems likely in hindsight often appears entirely implausible to those living through the moment.
The trajectory suggests an outcome that, while not inevitable, is increasingly likely to reshape the entire sector.

There's something almost cruel about how the most likely futures are rarely the ones we prepare for.
He'd always been the type to dismiss what seemed likely in favor of what he hoped might be true.
The evidence points to an outcome that, if not certain, is at least likely enough to warrant serious consideration — though few seem willing to name it aloud.

Examples by Scenario

🏠 Everyday Life

My son is likely going to spill juice on himself before we even leave the house.
The neighbors are likely arguing again — I can hear them through the wall.
If you don't water that plant, it's likely to die within a week.

💼 Workplace

The meeting will likely run over, so don't book anything at three.
She's likely frustrated with the project delays, though she hasn't said it directly.
If we don't submit this by Friday, it's likely the client will move to a competitor.

📊 Business

The merger is likely to face regulatory scrutiny, but our legal team is prepared.
Consumer data suggests that younger demographics are likely to prefer the subscription model.
Without a pivot in strategy, the company is likely to lose market share within eighteen months.

🛒 Buying / Shopping

This jacket is likely cheaper online, but I want to try it on first.
If you're looking for a good deal, you'll likely find better prices after the holiday.
The reviews say this brand is likely to shrink in the wash — should I size up?

✈️ Travel

We're likely to hit traffic if we leave during rush hour, so let's go early.
The hotel said the room is likely to have a view, but they wouldn't guarantee it.
You'll likely need a jacket — the weather forecast says it'll be cold in the mountains.

📚 Education

Students who study consistently are likely to perform better on the final exam.
If he doesn't turn in his assignments, he's likely to fail the class.
The teacher said we're likely to cover chapter five next week, so read ahead if you can.

❤️ Relationships

She's likely still upset about what happened last weekend, even though she says she's fine.
If you keep canceling plans, he's likely to stop asking you to things.
We both knew it was likely to end badly, but we did it anyway.

📰 News / Politics

Analysts say the incumbent is likely to win the election by a narrow margin.
The scandal makes a government inquiry likely, according to opposition leaders.
Climate scientists report that extreme weather events are likely to increase in frequency over the next decade.

💻 Technology

Your phone is likely running out of storage — that's why it's been slow.
The new software update is likely to fix the bug everyone's been complaining about.
If you don't back up your data, you're likely to lose everything when the device fails.

📝 Formal Writing

The research indicates that individuals with higher education levels are likely to earn significantly more over their lifetime.
Based on current trends, the adoption rate of renewable energy is likely to accelerate in the coming fiscal year.
Statistical analysis suggests that the proposed intervention is likely to reduce operational costs by approximately twelve percent.