In everyday English, the phrase ‘are more likely to’ is frequently used to discuss probability, tendency, or chances that something will happen. It is a comparative expression indicating that one situation or group has a higher chance or likelihood of experiencing a particular outcome than another. Understanding how to use this phrase correctly is important for both written and spoken communication. It can help express predictions, hypotheses, statistical results, and general assumptions about behavior, events, or conditions. This topic explains the meaning of ‘are more likely to,’ its usage, common contexts, and provides examples to improve clarity and fluency.
What Does ‘Are More Likely To’ Mean?
The phrase ‘are more likely to’ implies a greater probability or chance that a particular event or condition will occur. It often compares two or more subjects or scenarios, emphasizing which has a higher chance of the stated outcome.
In grammatical terms, ‘are’ is the present tense of the verb ‘to be,’ and ‘more likely to’ is a phrase that describes increased probability. Together, they form a structure used to express comparative likelihood.
Basic Structure
- Subject + are more likely to + base verb
Example:
‘Children who read regularly are more likely to succeed in school.’
In this sentence, ‘are more likely to’ indicates that children who read regularly have a higher chance of succeeding compared to those who do not.
Using ‘Are More Likely To’ to Express Probability
This phrase is commonly used in contexts where probabilities, tendencies, or outcomes are compared. It’s prevalent in scientific writing, statistics, everyday observations, and forecasting.
Examples in Different Contexts
- Health and Medicine: ‘Smokers are more likely to develop lung disease than non-smokers.’
- Behavior: ‘Teenagers who engage in sports are more likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle.’
- Weather Forecasting: ‘Areas near the coast are more likely to experience heavy rainfall.’
- Education: ‘Students who participate in study groups are more likely to improve their grades.’
- Technology: ‘Users who update their software regularly are more likely to avoid security risks.’
How to Form Negative and Question Sentences
Negative sentences with ‘are more likely to’ are formed by adding ‘not’ after ‘are.’ Questions are formed by inverting the subject and the verb.
Negative Form
- Example: ‘They are not more likely to attend the meeting.’
Interrogative Form
- Example: ‘Are employees more likely to accept flexible working hours?’
Synonyms and Alternative Phrases
To diversify your vocabulary and improve expression, you can use synonyms or similar phrases to convey ‘are more likely to’ without repetition.
- Have a higher chance of
Example: ‘Students who study consistently have a higher chance of passing exams.’ - Are prone to
Example: ‘Older adults are prone to certain health conditions.’ - Are more apt to
Example: ‘People who exercise regularly are more apt to feel energized.’ - Are inclined to
Example: ‘Employees are inclined to stay longer at companies that offer benefits.’ - Are predisposed to
Example: ‘Certain individuals are predisposed to allergies.’
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When using ‘are more likely to,’ learners sometimes make errors that affect clarity and correctness. Here are some tips to avoid these mistakes:
- Incorrect verb form: Always use the base form of the verb after ‘to.’
Incorrect: ‘They are more likely to goes.’
Correct: ‘They are more likely to go.’ - Subject-verb agreement: Make sure the verb ‘are’ agrees with the subject.
Example: ‘He is more likely to succeed,’ not ‘He are more likely to succeed.’ - Using ‘likely’ without comparison: The word ‘likely’ can be used alone to express probability, but ‘more likely’ always implies comparison.
Example: ‘She is likely to win.’ vs. ‘She is more likely to win than her opponent.’
Examples of ‘Are More Likely To’ in Sentences
Here are more detailed examples that illustrate how this phrase can be used in various scenarios.
- Health: ‘People who eat a balanced diet are more likely to maintain good health throughout their lives.’
- Education: ‘Students who ask questions during lectures are more likely to understand the material deeply.’
- Business: ‘Companies that invest in employee training are more likely to succeed in competitive markets.’
- Environment: ‘Regions with heavy deforestation are more likely to experience soil erosion.’
- Social Behavior: ‘Individuals exposed to diverse cultures are more likely to develop open-minded perspectives.’
Comparing Two Groups
One of the main uses of ‘are more likely to’ is to compare the chances of two groups or scenarios. The phrase clearly states which one has a greater chance of a particular outcome.
Example:
‘Children who grow up reading books are more likely to perform better academically than those who do not.’
Why Using ‘Are More Likely To’ Is Important in Communication
This phrase allows speakers and writers to communicate nuanced probabilities and tendencies effectively. It helps:
- Present data and research results clearly
- Make predictions based on observations
- Show comparative outcomes in discussions or arguments
- Express assumptions politely without making definitive statements
Its flexibility and clarity make it a valuable phrase in academic writing, journalism, everyday conversation, and business communication.
The phrase ‘are more likely to’ is a fundamental part of English that conveys comparative probability or chances of an event or condition occurring. It is essential for expressing how one situation differs in likelihood from another. By mastering its structure, understanding contexts, and learning synonyms, learners can communicate more precisely and effectively. Whether discussing health, education, behavior, or any other subject, ‘are more likely to’ provides a clear way to compare outcomes and express informed assumptions.
To improve fluency, practice creating sentences with this phrase in different contexts and pay attention to subject-verb agreement and verb forms. With consistent use, this expression will become a natural part of your English vocabulary and communication skills.