What is likely? Pronunciation and usage in English

likely means . Learn how to pronounce and use likely through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of likely

likelyadjective

/ˈlʌɪkli/
Definition & pronunciation of likely

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "likely" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic transcription and tips:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˈlaɪkli/

Breakdown:

  • ˈlaɪ (stress is on this syllable) - This part sounds like "ly" as in "fly" or "sky." The "y" sound is a vowel sound, not a consonant.
  • k-li - This part is fairly straightforward. "k" makes the "k" sound, and "li" sounds like "lee."

How to Say It (Step-by-Step):

  1. Start with the "ly" sound: Say "ly" like in the word "fly."
  2. Add the "k" sound: Say "k" as you would in "kite."
  3. Follow with "lee": Say "lee" as a short, quick vowel sound.

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: It's important to emphasize the first syllable ("ly"). If you say it with equal stress on each syllable, it will sound a bit awkward.
  • Short "i" Sound: The "i" in "likely" is a short "i" sound, like in "bit" or "sit." Don't make it too long or drawn out.
  • Flow: Try to blend the sounds together smoothly. Don’t pronounce them as separate little words.

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Google Search: Simply type "how to pronounce likely" into Google and click the audio icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/likely/ - This site has pronunciations from native speakers of different accents.

To help me tailor the explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • What is your native language? Knowing this can help me account for any specific pronunciation differences you might have.

Usage and examples with the word likely in English

Let's break down how to use the word "likely" in English. It's a versatile word that expresses a reasonable probability. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Basic Meaning:

  • "Likely" means "probably" or "having a high chance of happening." It suggests something is more probable than not, but doesn't guarantee it will happen.

2. How to Use It in Sentences:

Here are different ways to incorporate "likely" into your sentences:

  • Expressing Probability:

    • "It's likely to rain tomorrow." (Suggests rain is a good possibility)
    • "She's likely to succeed in her career." (Suggests she has a high chance of achieving her goals)
    • "The project will be likely delayed due to unforeseen circumstances." (Suggests delay is a probable outcome)

  • Adding Qualification: Often, "likely" softens a statement, making it less assertive.

    • "He's likely to be late, but I'm not sure." (Acknowledges lateness is possible, but there's uncertainty)
    • "The new policy is likely to have a positive impact, although there may be some challenges." (States a positive outcome is probable, but acknowledges potential difficulties)

  • Comparing Possibilities:

    • "It's likely that he went to the store, rather than staying home." (Suggests going to the store is the more probable option)

  • Reporting Opinions:

    • "The expert believes it's likely that the evidence will support the prosecution's case." (States an expert’s opinion about the probability)

3. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Probably
  • Almost certainly
  • Tend to
  • More than likely
  • Reasonable
  • Probable

4. Important Distinctions:

  • "Likely" vs. "Certain": “Certain” means absolutely guaranteed. “Likely” means probable but not definite.
  • “Likely” vs. “Maybe”: “Maybe” is much less certain than “likely.” “Maybe” could be either way.

5. Examples in Context:

  • "The company is likely to announce its quarterly earnings next week."
  • "Because of the heavy snowfall, driving to work is likely to be difficult today."
  • "I'm likely to ask for a raise soon, as I've been working very hard."
  • "He is likely to win the election based on the current polls."

6. Tone and Formality:

"Likely" is a fairly formal word. It's perfectly suitable for professional writing, news reports, and academic contexts. In casual conversation, "probably" is often a more common and natural choice.

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • Explain how "likely" works in a specific type of writing (e.g., scientific reports)?
  • Help you practice using "likely" in a sentence?

Synonyms for the word likely

Idioms of the word likely

a likely story
(informal, ironic)used to show that you do not believe what somebody has said
  • You just found it lying in the street? A likely story!
  • He said he'd met Rihanna. A likely story.

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