The structure ‘be likely to + infinitive’ is a common and important grammatical construction in English, frequently appearing in IELTS exams. It’s used to express probability or likelihood of future events or actions. Understanding and using this structure correctly can significantly enhance your IELTS score across all sections of the test.
Let’s begin with some examples to illustrate its usage in IELTS contexts:
- “Climate change is likely to affect global food production in the coming decades.”
- “Candidates with international experience are likely to perform better in job interviews.”
- “The new public transport system is likely to reduce traffic congestion in the city center.”
- “Students who practice regularly are likely to improve their IELTS scores.”
- “The government’s new policies are likely to boost economic growth.”
In each of these sentences, ‘be likely to + infinitive’ is used to predict future outcomes with a high degree of probability. This structure is particularly useful in IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks where you need to discuss trends, make predictions, or express opinions about future events.
Understanding ‘Be Likely to + Infinitive’
Meaning and Usage
The structure ‘be likely to + infinitive’ is used to express probability or a strong possibility that something will happen in the future. It’s equivalent to saying “will probably” or “there’s a good chance that.” This construction is particularly useful in academic and formal contexts, making it highly relevant for IELTS exam tasks.
In IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks, you’ll often need to discuss trends, make predictions, or express opinions about future events. Using ‘be likely to + infinitive’ can help you articulate these ideas more precisely and academically.
Grammatical Structure
The basic formula for this structure is:
Subject + be (is/are/was/were) + likely + to + base form of verb
It’s important to note that the verb following ‘to’ should always be in its base form, regardless of the tense of ‘be’ or the subject of the sentence.
Application in IELTS Sections
IELTS Writing
In IELTS Writing Task 2, you might be asked to discuss future trends or make predictions. Here’s an example paragraph using ‘be likely to + infinitive’:
“As technology continues to advance, remote work is likely to become increasingly common. This trend is likely to affect not only job markets but also urban planning. Cities are likely to see a decrease in daily commuters, which is likely to lead to reduced traffic congestion and potentially lower demand for office spaces in city centers.”
IELTS Speaking
In the Speaking test, you can use this structure to express opinions about future events or trends. For example:
Examiner: “How do you think technology will change education in the future?”
Candidate: “I believe technology is likely to revolutionize the way we learn. Online platforms are likely to become more prevalent, allowing students to access courses from anywhere in the world. Virtual reality is likely to play a significant role, especially in subjects like science and history, where immersive experiences are likely to enhance understanding.”
IELTS Reading
While you won’t be required to produce this structure in the Reading test, recognizing it can help you understand the author’s level of certainty about future events. For example:
“According to the report, sea levels are likely to rise by 1-2 meters by 2100, which is likely to pose significant challenges for coastal communities.”
IELTS Listening
Similarly, in the Listening test, understanding this structure can help you grasp the speaker’s level of certainty about future events or predictions. For instance:
“The new policy is likely to result in increased funding for renewable energy projects.”
Advanced Usage for Higher Band Scores
To achieve higher band scores in IELTS, it’s crucial to use more complex and varied structures. Here are some advanced ways to use ‘be likely to + infinitive’:
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Combining with other structures:
“Despite the challenges, experts believe that renewable energy is likely to become the dominant source of power in the next few decades, potentially revolutionizing the global energy landscape.” -
Using in passive voice:
“The effects of climate change are likely to be felt most acutely in developing countries, which are likely to be hit hardest by extreme weather events.” -
Incorporating adverbs:
“The new healthcare policy is highly likely to improve access to medical services for rural communities, thereby significantly reducing health disparities.” -
Using in past tense for hypothetical situations:
“If the government had implemented stricter regulations earlier, the environmental damage was likely to have been less severe.” -
Combining with conditional structures:
“If current trends continue, online shopping is likely to overtake traditional retail in terms of market share within the next decade.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Incorrect verb form after ‘to’:
Incorrect: “The company is likely to expanding its operations.”
Correct: “The company is likely to expand its operations.” -
Confusing ‘likely’ with ‘like’:
Incorrect: “She is like to succeed in her new job.”
Correct: “She is likely to succeed in her new job.” -
Using ‘will’ with ‘likely’:
Incorrect: “The project will likely to be completed on time.”
Correct: “The project is likely to be completed on time.” or “The project will likely be completed on time.” -
Incorrect placement of adverbs:
Incorrect: “The team is likely very to win the championship.”
Correct: “The team is very likely to win the championship.” -
Using ‘that’ after ‘likely’:
Incorrect: “It is likely that to rain tomorrow.”
Correct: “It is likely to rain tomorrow.” or “It is likely that it will rain tomorrow.”
Conclusion
Mastering the ‘be likely to + infinitive’ structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance, particularly in Writing and Speaking tasks. It allows you to express probability and make predictions in a sophisticated, academic manner. Remember to practice using this structure in various contexts and tenses to become more comfortable with it. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, try incorporating this structure into your essays, speaking responses, and even your everyday English conversations to reinforce your learning.
To further improve your skills, consider practicing with past IELTS questions that involve making predictions or discussing future trends. This will give you ample opportunity to use ‘be likely to + infinitive’ in relevant contexts, helping you become more proficient and confident in your use of this valuable grammatical structure.