Cool MateArguably vs Likely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arguably
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Likely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Most common: Likely
| Arguably | Likely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɑːɡjuəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːrɡjuəbli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈlaɪkli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈlaɪkli/"]/ |
| Meaning | It can be said that something is true. | It probably will happen. |
| Example | He is arguably the best actor of his generation. | It is likely that it will rain tomorrow. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adjective |
| Collocations | arguably the best, arguably true, arguably effective | appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | undeniably, certainly, definitely, incontrovertibly | unlikely, improbable |
| Common mistakes | Using 'arguably' too strongly without supporting evidence., Confusing it with 'arguably' as a noun., Forgetting to follow it with a specific claim or statement. | 'Likely' vs 'likelihood': Confused the adjective with the noun., 'Likely' placement: Wrongly placed before the verb instead of before 'to'., 'Unlikely' usage: Misusing 'unlikely' in positive contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'arguably' when making a statement that can be supported with evidence. It is often used in discussions or debates but may be too strong for casual conversation. | Use 'likely' to express probability in neutral contexts. Avoid in very formal writing; use 'probable' instead. For informal contexts, 'likely' is suitable. |
Frequently asked questions: Arguably vs Likely
What's the difference between Arguably and Likely?
Arguably: It can be said that something is true. Likely: It probably will happen.
Which is more common: Arguably and Likely?
Likely is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Arguably and Likely?
Arguably is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Arguably and Likely the same CEFR level?
Arguably: C1, Likely: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Arguably and Likely?
Arguably: adverb, Likely: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Arguably: He is arguably the best actor of his generation. Likely: It is likely that it will rain tomorrow.
Can I use Arguably and Likely interchangeably?
Not always. Arguably and Likely are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.