Cool MateLikely vs Perhaps we'll find out
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Likely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Perhaps we'll find out
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Likely
| Likely | Perhaps we'll find out | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈlaɪkli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈlaɪkli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pəˈhæps wiːl faɪnd aʊt//🇺🇸 //pəˈhæps wil faɪnd aʊt// |
| Meaning | It probably will happen. | Maybe we will learn more later. |
| Example | It is likely that it will rain tomorrow. | Perhaps we'll find out the answer by tomorrow. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very | find out more, find out soon, find out later |
| Antonyms | unlikely, improbable | - |
| Common mistakes | '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. | Using 'maybe' instead of 'perhaps' in formal contexts., Omitting 'we'll' and saying just 'Perhaps find out.', Confusing 'perhaps' with 'perchance,' which is outdated. |
| Usage notes | Use 'likely' to express probability in neutral contexts. Avoid in very formal writing; use 'probable' instead. For informal contexts, 'likely' is suitable. | Used when suggesting a possibility without certainty. It's appropriate for both formal and informal conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Likely vs Perhaps we'll find out
What's the difference between Likely and Perhaps we'll find out?
Likely: It probably will happen. Perhaps we'll find out: Maybe we will learn more later.
Which is more common: Likely and Perhaps we'll find out?
Likely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Likely: It is likely that it will rain tomorrow. Perhaps we'll find out: Perhaps we'll find out the answer by tomorrow.
Can I use Likely and Perhaps we'll find out interchangeably?
Not always. Likely and Perhaps we'll find out 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.