Likely/unlikely

Likely and unlikely are adjectives. If something is likely to happen or if it’s

likely that something will happen, it means that it will probably happen or
that it is expected to happen.

If something is unlikely to happen or if it’s unlikely that something will

happen, it means that it probably won’t happen.

-We can use these two adjectives in two different ways:

➪ It is likely/unlikely that + clause (subject + verb …)

● It’s likely that just in a few years we will change our economic model.
● It’s unlikely that the police had anything to do about it.

Note that we can also use these adjectives to speculate about the past.

➪ Subject + be likely/unlikely + to + infinitive

● He is likely to win this game.

● They are unlikely to reach an agreement.

As likely and unlikely are adjectives, we can use them in comparative or

superlative forms, or after quite, very, etc.

● Stubborn children are more likely to become successful.

● They are the most likely to win the World Cup.
● It‘s very unlikely that he’ll be sent to prison.

Definitely/probably
We use definitely and probably before the main verb and after the auxiliary
verb (if there is one) in affirmative sentences.

● You’ll definitely get the job. Nobody’s got your qualifications and
experience.
● He’s probably our best player.
And definitely and probably go before the auxiliary verb in negative
sentences.

● They probably won’t find any evidence.

● She definitely isn’t seeing anyone right now.

But if we don’t use short forms, definitely and probably go after the auxiliary
verb and before not.

● They will probably not find any evidence.

● She is definitely not seeing anyone right now.

Might / May
When do we use might and might not?
Might (not)= Maybe it is (not) true

We use might, might not when we think something is (not) or will (not) be
true, but we aren’t sure.

● ‘Suzan isn’t answering the phone.’ ‘She might be in the garden.’

● The sky is clearing up. It might not rain this afternoon.
● They might win the competition.

I might (not)= It is possible that I will (not)

We say that someone might do something to mean that it is possible that

someone will do something.

● I might go for a run this afternoon. (=It’s possible that I will go for a
run.)
● She might come to the conference.

We say that someone might not do something to mean that it is possible

that someone won’t do something.

● I might not come to the party. (=It’s possible that I won’t come to the
party.)
● He might not go to work tomorrow.

May, may not

May= might

We can use may and may not instead of might and might not.

● She may be late for class this morning.

● They may not like your decision.