Transcript likely and probably - Analeiva's Blog | Ana Leiva at EOI

likely and probably
likely as an adjective
As an adjective, likely has the meaning of 'probably going to
happen' or 'probably true’:
–The most likely cause of the fire was a discarded cigarette end.
With the same meaning, likely can also be followed by an
infinitive:
–The study shows that some people are more likely to suffer back
problems than others
or it can be followed by that plus a subordinate clause:
–It seems likely that interest rates will rise again.
likely as an adjective
In general the sentence structure is be + likely + infinitive:
–I don’t think the boss is very likely to agree.
The expression more than likely means ‘almost certain’:
–It’s more than likely that the rules will be changed again in the near
future'.
With the meaning of 'suitable', likely can also be used before
nouns such as candidate, successor and replacement:
–She’s a likely candidate for the job.
If, on the other hand, you describe something as ‘a likely story’,
usually in response to something you have just been told, you
indicate that you do not believe it.
likely an adverb
As an adverb, likely means ‘probably’ and is often used with
quite:
–They’ll quite likely ask you to pay a small deposit.
probably is an adverb
Use probably before the main verb:
–She’ll probably be off work for a long time.
But before the auxiliary verb in a negative sentence:
–He probably won’t come.
complete the sentences with likely or probably
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
My mother’s … to be in the garden watering the plants.
I’ll … be very busy tomorrow.
The missing plane … crashed in the sea.
There’s … to be a hurricane later this month.
They aren’t very … to raise our salary, are they?
James will … be late. He always is.
I’m … to be very busy tomorrow.
The police say that the burglars were … local people.
complete the sentences with likely or probably
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
My mother’s likely to be in the garden watering the plants.
I’ll probably / most likely be very busy tomorrow.
The missing plane probably crashed in the sea.
There’s likely to be a hurricane later this month.
They aren’t very likely to raise our salary, are they?
James will probably / very likely be late. He always is.
I’m likely to be very busy tomorrow.
The police say that the burglars were probably / most
probably local people.
ask your partner…
• What will you probably do next summer?
• Are you likely to be living in this town in five years’ time?
Why/Why not?
• Do you think you will probably pass the end of course exam?
• Where are you likely to be this evening at 9.30?