What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
likely
Example
It's likely that it will rain tomorrow. [likely: adjective]
Example
She is likely to get the job since she has the necessary qualifications. [likely: adverb]
plausible
Example
The detective found his theory to be plausible based on the evidence he gathered. [plausible: adjective]
Example
It's plausible that the company will expand its operations to other countries. [plausible: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Likely is more common in everyday language than plausible. Likely is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while plausible is more commonly used in formal writing or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between likely and plausible?
Plausible is generally considered more formal than likely. While both words can be used in formal and informal contexts, plausible is often used in academic or professional writing to describe logical arguments or explanations.
