Likely 性が高く、可能性が unlikely のは形容詞です。将来、何かが起こる可能性が高い、または起こらないという意味で使用します。これらは名詞の前、または動詞の be, seem 、 appear と一緒に使用できます。

What is the most likely outcome of the referendum?

It seems unlikely that inflation will fall below 3% this year.

to- 不定詞の形の動詞によって、 likely か、 unlikely でないかに従うことができます。

The economy is likely to recover slowly after the long recession.

Are you likely to want this cardboard box or shall I throw it out?

The weather seems unlikely to change over the next few days.

ありそうもない の代わりに、 unlikely も not likely と言うことができます:

Zoe’s not likely to arrive before eight o’clock. She doesn’t finish work till seven.

will を使用した that 節によって、 likely および similar をフォローする unlikely もでき will 。このパターンは、 likely/unlikely + to- 不定詞よりも一般的ではありません。

It is likely that there will be a general election next year. または There is likely to be a general election next year.

It seems unlikely that space travel for ordinary people will become common in the near future.

very 、 quite 、 highly に、 extremely になどの unlikely を使用して、その意味をより強くする likely ができます。

The government is very likely to propose changes to the income tax system soon.

I think it’s highly unlikely that she’ll get into university with the test scores she has.

as … as 、 more, (the) most, less 、 (the) least を使用して、さまざまな物事の likely 性を比較する unlikely ができます。

Steve is as likely to get the job as Dora. They’re both very well qualified.

People are more likely to take climate change seriously if they can understand the economic consequences for their own lives.

Kevin is (the) least likely to want to get married of all his friends.

アメリカ英語では、そしてますますイギリス英語では、中位の副詞として使用される likely が高くなり（ probably イギリス英語のように）、最も一般的には will と主動詞の間で使用されます。

The new regulations will likely result in many people losing their jobs.