student asking question

What is the difference in meaning between "likely to" and "seem to"? Also, could you give me some example sentences using "likely to"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

The use of "likely to" means that will be a great chance that something will happen or will be seen. "Likely" is about probability, typically deduced using logic. While the phrase "seems to" means appears or like, at first sight/without too much consideration. Both are also used for guesses and sometimes they are used together “seems likely” Ex: My teacher is likely to teach all new material next semester. Ex: He seems sad today.

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