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Are we still going to the outdoor concerttomorrow?
Probably.
Have you seen the weather forecast?
Yes, maybe it will rain.
Rain is likely. Canceling the concert is unlikely.
Getting wet may be inevitable.
That became very precise very quickly.
Today, we are learning why those three words arenot interchangeable.
Welcome to your English Toolbox and Practice Arena5-Minute English.
I am Martin.
And I am Julia.
Today, we are comparing likely, unlikely, andinevitable.
Let us begin with likely.
Likely means expected or probable, but notcompletely certain.
The forecast says there is an 80% chance of rain.
So rain is likely.
We can say rain is likely tomorrow.
Or it is likely to rain tomorrow.
And we can say it is likely that the concert willcontinue.
Notice the useful patterns.
Something is likely.
Something is likely to happen.
Or it is likely that something will happen.
Can I say it will likely rain?
That is common, especially in American English.
But it is likely to rain is a very useful patternfor every learner.
Likely does not mean certain.
Correct. An event can be likely and still nothappen.
Now let us look at unlikely.
Unlikely means not expected or not probable.
The organizers have covered the stage, socancellation is unlikely.
Or it is unlikely that the concert will becanceled.
We can also say the band is unlikely to arrivelate.
Likely and unlikely use the same basic grammarpatterns.
But they point in opposite directions.
Exactly. Likely means we expect it.
Unlikely means we do not expect it.
Is unlikely the same as impossible?
No, an unlikely event can still happen.
Winning a large prize is unlikely, but it is notimpossible.
And the weather can always surprise us.
Unfortunately, yes.
Our third word is inevitable.
Inevitable means certain to happen or impossibleto avoid because of the circumstances.
03:06
If we stand outside in heavy rain without anumbrella, getting wet is inevitable.
Or some delays were inevitable during the buildingwork.
Inevitable is much stronger than likely.
Likely means probably.
Inevitable means there is no realistic way toprevent it.
Can an inevitable event be positive?
Yes. The word is often used for problems orconsequences, but not exclusively.
For example, with her talent and preparation,further success seemed inevitable.
We should still be careful with it.
Yes. If several outcomes remain possible,inevitable is probably too strong.
And we do not usually make it stronger by sayingvery inevitable.
Something is either unavoidable or it is not.
Let us compare all three words.
Likely means expected but not certain.
Unlikely means not expected but still possible.
Inevitable means certain or impossible to avoid.
Choose likely, unlikely, or inevitable before weanswer.
Rain is likely.
Situation 2. The concert has a covered stage andthousands of tickets have been sold.
Situation 3. You leave your umbrella at home andstand in heavy rain for 20 minutes.
Situation 4. A small team has a good idea, butmany different outcomes are still possible.
Likely but it is not inevitable.
Now improve this sentence.
Maybe the train will be late.
Do the available facts suggest that it probablywill be late?
Then a delay is likely.
Do the facts suggest that it probably will not belate?
Then a delay is unlikely.
Is there no realistic way to avoid the delay?
Then the delay is inevitable.
On the episode page at YourEnglishToolbox.com, youcan download the vocabulary worksheet
and practice these contrasts with new situations.
That gives you a useful way to check whether youcan choose the word without our help.
The direct link is in the episode description.
So, are we going to the concert?
Yes. Rain is likely, but staying at home isunlikely.
And forgetting the umbrellas.
If you are responsible for them, that may beinevitable.
06:02
That seems unfair.
It seems likely.
See you next time, friends.
Goodbye.
