In English, expressing probability or certainty about future events or outcomes is common in both spoken and written communication. One useful phrase to indicate a strong chance of something happening is be highly likely to. This phrase emphasizes a greater degree of likelihood compared to just likely to, making it especially valuable when you want to stress the near certainty or strong expectation of an event. Understanding how to use be highly likely to properly can improve your English fluency, especially when discussing predictions, reports, or analyses. This topic explores the meaning, structure, usage, and examples of be highly likely to, offering a detailed guide for learners and speakers of English.
Meaning of Be Highly Likely To
The phrase be highly likely to is used to express that something has a very strong chance or probability of occurring. It is a way to show confidence or near certainty about a future event, situation, or behavior. Compared to the simpler phrase likely to, the addition of highly intensifies the probability, suggesting that the event is almost sure to happen or is very probable.
For example, saying It is highly likely to rain tomorrow means that the chances of rain are very high, more than just a normal likelihood.
Understanding the Components
- Be: The verb to be, which is conjugated according to the subject and tense.
- Highly: An adverb that strengthens the adjective likely, indicating a higher degree of probability.
- Likely: An adjective that means probable or expected.
- To + base verb: This construction shows the action or event that is expected to happen.
Grammar and Structure
The structure for using be highly likely to is straightforward:
- Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were) + highly likely to + base verb
- Examples include:
- She is highly likely to attend the meeting.
- They are highly likely to finish the project on time.
- It was highly likely to snow yesterday.
The verb to be must agree with the subject in person and number. Highly likely acts as a compound adjective phrase modifying the subject’s probability of performing the action indicated by the base verb.
Using Be Highly Likely To in Different Contexts
Be highly likely to can be used in a variety of contexts, including academic writing, everyday conversations, news reports, and predictions. Let’s explore some common situations where this phrase is useful.
Expressing Strong Predictions
This phrase is commonly used when making confident predictions about the future based on evidence or trends.
- Given the current economic data, the market is highly likely to recover soon.
- With her skills and experience, she is highly likely to get the promotion.
Scientific and Statistical Reports
In scientific or research contexts, be highly likely to helps convey results and expected outcomes with a high degree of confidence.
- Patients who follow this treatment plan are highly likely to see improvements.
- Climate change is highly likely to impact coastal regions significantly.
Expressing Probable Outcomes in Everyday Life
We often use this phrase to talk about events or behaviors that seem very probable based on what we know.
- If you don’t study, you are highly likely to fail the exam.
- They are highly likely to arrive late because of traffic.
Difference Between Likely and Highly Likely
While both likely and highly likely indicate probability, the level of certainty differs. Likely suggests a reasonable chance of something happening, but it is not guaranteed. Highly likely suggests a much stronger certainty and almost implies an expectation that the event will happen unless something unexpected occurs.
- Likely:She is likely to accept the invitation. (There is a good chance she will.)
- Highly likely:She is highly likely to accept the invitation. (It is almost certain she will.)
Using highly likely shows a greater emphasis on the probability, making it appropriate in more formal or serious situations where you want to stress confidence.
Examples of Be Highly Likely To in Sentences
Here are some examples to illustrate how be highly likely to is used in everyday and formal English:
- The team is highly likely to win the championship this year due to their excellent performance.
- It is highly likely to rain this evening, so remember to carry an umbrella.
- Scientists say that the species is highly likely to become extinct if conservation efforts don’t improve.
- Young children are highly likely to pick up new languages faster than adults.
- She was highly likely to pass the test because she studied hard.
Common Mistakes When Using Be Highly Likely To
Even though the phrase is simple, some learners make mistakes when using it. Here are common errors to watch out for:
- Wrong verb form: Always use the base verb after to. For example, say likely to go, not likely to goes or likely to going.
- Incorrect verb agreement: Ensure the verb to be matches the subject. For example, They are highly likely to attend, not They is highly likely.
- Using highly likely without to: Remember that highly likely is usually followed by to + verb when talking about future actions.
Synonyms and Alternative Expressions
If you want to vary your language, you can use alternatives that express similar meaning:
- Very likely to: She is very likely to accept the offer.
- Extremely likely to: The event is extremely likely to happen.
- Almost certain to: They are almost certain to win the game.
- Strong chance of: There is a strong chance of rain tomorrow.
How to Practice Using Be Highly Likely To
Improving your ability to use be highly likely to can be done through regular practice. Here are some tips:
- Write sentences comparing different events with varying degrees of probability.
- Make predictions about future events in news, weather, or personal life using the phrase.
- Read topics or reports and identify sentences using be highly likely to or similar phrases.
- Practice speaking by describing situations where certain outcomes are very probable.
Be highly likely to is a powerful phrase that helps express strong probability or near certainty in English. It enhances communication by allowing speakers and writers to convey confidence about future events, behaviors, or outcomes. By understanding its meaning, correct grammatical structure, and usage in different contexts, you can use be highly likely to effectively and naturally. Regular practice with examples and awareness of common mistakes will help you master this phrase and improve your overall English skills, especially in expressing likelihood and predictions clearly and precisely.