1. probable or expected
很可能的，預料中的
Rain is likely this afternoon.
今天下午很可能會下雨。
He is the most likely candidate to win.
他是最有可能獲勝的候選人。
Likely Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
likely
adjective
快速理解
What does "Likely" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Likely"?
likely 主要表示某事發生的可能性高，或用來形容看似真實或合適的人事物。
- 1
可能性高
EN: probable or expected to happen
翻譯: 很可能發生的、預料中的
- 2
看似真實
EN: seeming to be true or believable
翻譯: 看似真實的、可信的
- 3
合適的人選
EN: a suitable person for something
翻譯: 合適的人選、可能的人選
小提醒：likely 作形容詞時，常用於修飾名詞（a likely outcome），或與 be 動詞連用（It is likely that...）。注意它與副詞 likely（很可能地，如 He will likely come）的用法區別。
發音（How to Pronounce "Likely" in English）
How to pronounce "Likely" in English?"Likely" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Likely" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“>> It's likely our companies will be more hesitant to invest in the US, So it's difficult to say there's been no impact.”
(1 out of 107)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Likely"?How does "Likely" change by context?
2. suitable or promising
合適的，有希望的
This looks like a likely spot for a picnic.
這看起來是個適合野餐的好地方。
She is a likely person for the leadership role.
她是擔任領導職務的合適人選。
3. probably
很可能地
They will likely arrive before noon.
他們很可能在中午前到達。
It will most likely rain tomorrow.
明天非常可能會下雨。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Likely"?How to make natural sentences with "Likely"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| likely + to + V | 很可能會… | He is likely to arrive early. (他很可能會提早到。) |
| likely + that + clause | 很可能… | It is likely that it will rain tomorrow. (明天很可能會下雨。) |
| more/less likely + to + V | 更/較不可能會… | With more practice, you are more likely to succeed. (經過更多練習，你更有可能會成功。) |
| be likely + for + sb/sth + to + V | 對某人/某事來說很可能… | It is likely for the meeting to be postponed. (會議很可能會被延期。) |
| seem/appear likely + to + V | 似乎很可能會… | The project seems likely to finish on time. (這個專案似乎很可能會準時完成。) |
| highly/quite likely + to + V | 非常/相當可能會… | She is highly likely to get the promotion. (她非常有可能會獲得晉升。) |
| not likely | 不太可能 | A: "Will he agree?" B: "Not likely." (A: "他會同意嗎？" B: "不太可能。") |
用法說明
How is "Likely" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Likely"?
likely to do vs likely doing
- likely to do 是最標準且最常見的用法，表示「可能（會）做某事」，用來描述未來可能發生的動作或事件。
- likely doing 在現代標準英語中較為少見且不正式，通常應避免在書寫中使用。它可能出現在口語或非正式語境中，表示「可能正在做某事」。
- 在正式寫作或考試中，應優先使用 likely to + 動詞原形 的結構。
- 注意：would likely 後面直接接動詞原形，不要加
to。例如：He would likely agree.（他很可能會同意。） EN: It is likely to rain this afternoon. 翻譯: 今天下午很可能會下雨。
EN:She is likely to be promoted next month.
翻譯:她下個月很可能會獲得晉升。
總結建議
在大多數情況下，使用「likely to + 動詞原形」來表達「可能做某事」是最安全且正確的選擇。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Likely" and similar words?How to choose "Likely" vs alternatives?
likely vs probable
兩者皆表示「可能」，但 "likely" 更口語且常用於預測，"probable" 則更正式且強調客觀可能性。
likely vs possible
"likely" 表示可能性較高，"possible" 僅表示事情可能發生，但機率可高可低。
likely vs apt
"likely" 指一般可能性，"apt" 則指因固有傾向或特性而可能發生。
口語用法
How is "Likely" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Likely"?
引述
在轉述他人意見或一般看法時，常用 "likely" 來緩和語氣，表示這不是說話者自己的斷言。 EN: It's likely going to rain later, according to the forecast. 翻譯: 根據天氣預報，稍後很可能會下雨。
EN:He's likely not coming to the party, I heard he's busy.
翻譯:他很可能不來派對了，我聽說他很忙。
語氣強調
在口語中，常與 "very"、"most"、"more" 等詞連用，以加強或比較可能性。 EN: That's a very likely outcome if we don't act now. 翻譯: 如果我們現在不行動，那是一個非常可能的結果。
EN:The most likely scenario is that the meeting gets postponed.
翻譯:最可能的情況是會議被推遲。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，"likely" 有時會作為填充詞，與 "probably" 或 "maybe" 類似，使語氣聽起來不那麼絕對。 EN: We'll, uh, likely need more time to finish this. 翻譯: 我們呢，呃，很可能需要更多時間來完成這個。
EN:I'll likely... let you know by tomorrow.
翻譯:我大概…明天前會讓你知道。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將 "likely" 用作填充詞或過於口語化的強調。建議使用更精確的詞彙，如 "probable"、"expected" 或 "it is probable that..." 等結構來表達可能性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Likely"?What fixed phrases with "Likely" should I remember?
likely to
be likely to + verb
很可能會...
more likely
more likely (than)
更有可能
most likely
most likely
最有可能
less likely
less likely (than)
較不可能
highly likely
highly likely
極有可能
seems likely
it/seems likely (that)
看起來很可能
a likely story
a likely story (idiom)
說得倒好聽（表示懷疑或不相信）
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Likely"?Which "Likely" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He is likely to success.
✓He is likely to succeed.
「likely to」後面必須接動詞原形，不能接名詞。
×It is likely that he will comes.
✓It is likely that he will come.
在「It is likely that...」句型中，that子句的動詞應使用未來式（will + 動詞原形）或現在式表示未來，但動詞本身不應加s。
×He likely will agree.
✓He will likely agree. / He is likely to agree.
「likely」作為副詞時，在美式英語中常置於助動詞（如will, would, can）之後、主要動詞之前。更常見且正式的用法是使用形容詞結構「be likely to」。
×This is the most likely option.
✓This is the most likely option. (Correct, but note meaning)
此句文法正確，但學習者常誤解「most likely」為「非常可能」，而它實際上是「最有可能的」之意，用於比較多個選項。若無比較對象，應使用「very likely」。
×I likely go to the party.
✓I will likely go to the party. / I am likely to go to the party.
在簡單現在時態的肯定句中，不能單獨使用「likely」作副詞修飾主要動詞，必須與助動詞（如will）或使用「be likely to」結構。
×It's likely to he arrives late.
✓It's likely that he will arrive late. / He is likely to arrive late.
「likely to」後面必須直接接動詞原形，不能接子句。若要接子句，必須使用「It is likely that...」的結構。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Likely"?What are tense/participle forms of "Likely"?