Likely, Bound and Sure To: Meaning, Difference and Examples

When we talk about the future, we often want to say how probable something is. Is it possible? Is it expected? Is it almost certain? That is where expressions like likely to, bound to and sure to become very useful.

Compare these examples:

• She is likely to pass the exam.
• She is bound to pass the exam.
• She is sure to pass the exam.

All three sentences suggest that she will probably pass, but they are not exactly the same. The difference is in the strength of probability.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use likely, bound and sure to naturally in English, with clear examples and common mistakes to avoid.

Read about modal verbs of probability here

What Does “Likely To” Mean?

We use likely to when something is probable or expected to happen.

It does not mean 100% certain. It means there is a good chance.

Structure

be + likely to + infinitive

Examples:

• She is likely to arrive late.
• Prices are likely to rise next year.
• The meeting is likely to last about an hour.
• He is likely to accept the offer.

We can also use:

It is likely that + clause

Examples:

• It is likely that prices will rise next year.
• It is likely that the train will be delayed.
• It is likely that more people will work from home in the future.

How Strong Is “Likely To”?

Likely to means something is probable, but not certain.

For example:

• She is likely to win the competition.

This means:

She has a good chance of winning, but someone else could still win.

You can make the meaning stronger or weaker with adverbs:

• very likely to
• highly likely to
• quite likely to
• fairly likely to
• more likely to
• less likely to

Examples:

• He is highly likely to get the job.
• They are quite likely to move abroad.
• Young people are more likely to use social media for news.
• Older people may be less likely to change their habits quickly.

Negative Form: Unlikely To

The opposite of likely to is unlikely to.

Structure

be + unlikely to + infinitive

Examples:

• He is unlikely to come to the party.
• The weather is unlikely to improve today.
• They are unlikely to agree with the proposal.
• This problem is unlikely to disappear on its own.

You can also say:

• It is unlikely that he will come.
• It is unlikely that the situation will change soon.

What Does “Bound To” Mean?

We use bound to when something is almost certain to happen.

It is stronger than likely to.

Structure

be + bound to + infinitive

Examples:

• You are bound to make mistakes when you learn a new language.
• She is bound to find out sooner or later.
• The film is bound to be popular.
• If you keep practising, you are bound to improve.

Bound to often suggests that something is natural, expected or unavoidable.

For example:

• If you never revise, you are bound to forget things.

This means it is almost inevitable. It would be surprising if you did not forget things.

When Do We Use “Bound To”?

We often use bound to when we believe something will happen because of logic, experience or the situation.

1. Natural consequences

• If you eat too much sugar, you are bound to feel tired later.
• If you leave late, you are bound to miss the beginning of the meeting.
• If you don’t back up your files, something is bound to go wrong one day.

2. Strong expectations

• She has studied every day. She is bound to pass.
• He is an excellent speaker. His presentation is bound to be impressive.
• That restaurant is always busy, so we are bound to wait for a table.

3. Reassurance

• Don’t worry. You are bound to feel nervous before an exam.
• Keep trying. Things are bound to get better.
• You are bound to meet interesting people at university.

What Does “Sure To” Mean?

We use sure to when we feel very confident that something will happen.

Structure

be + sure to + infinitive

Examples:

• This book is sure to help you improve your vocabulary.
• She is sure to enjoy the concert.
• The children are sure to love this story.
• His speech is sure to impress the audience.

Sure to is close in meaning to bound to, but it often sounds a little more positive, confident or promotional.

Compare:

• The film is bound to be popular.
• The film is sure to be popular.

Both mean the film will almost certainly be popular, but sure to often sounds slightly more encouraging or enthusiastic.

Likely To vs Bound To vs Sure To

Here is the main difference:

likely to	probable	medium/strong
bound to	almost certain, inevitable	very strong
sure to	almost certain, confident expectation	very strong

Examples:

• He is likely to pass.
  = He will probably pass.
• He is bound to pass.
  = I feel almost certain he will pass, perhaps because he has worked hard.
• He is sure to pass.
  = I am very confident he will pass.

More Examples

Likely to

• The train is likely to be crowded.
• This topic is likely to appear in the exam.
• She is likely to need more time.
• The company is likely to announce changes soon.

Bound to

• You are bound to feel tired after such a long journey.
• They are bound to complain if we change the plan again.
• Someone is bound to notice the mistake.
• There is bound to be a better solution.

Sure to

• This guide is sure to be useful for exam preparation.
• You are sure to enjoy the course.
• The new café is sure to attract students.
• Her performance is sure to impress the judges.

Common Patterns with Likely, Bound and Sure To

1. There Is Bound to Be / There Is Sure to Be

These structures are very common.

Examples:

• There is bound to be some traffic at this time of day.
• There is sure to be a lot of interest in the new course.
• There are likely to be delays because of the weather.
• There is likely to be a problem if we don’t prepare properly.

Notice the structure:

• There is likely to be…
• There is bound to be…
• There is sure to be…

Examples:

• There is bound to be a mistake somewhere.
• There are likely to be more changes soon.

2. More Likely To / Less Likely To

We often use more likely to and less likely to when comparing people, things or situations.

Examples:

• Students who read regularly are more likely to learn vocabulary naturally.
• People are less likely to remember words they never use.
• Older buildings are more likely to need repairs.
• Confident speakers are less likely to panic in an exam.

This structure is especially useful in formal writing and Cambridge essays.

Example:

• People who exercise regularly are more likely to maintain good health.

3. Highly Likely / Very Likely

We can also use likely without to when it comes after verbs like be, seem, look or appear.

Examples:

• A delay is likely.
• It seems likely that they will cancel the event.
• It looks likely that prices will increase.
• Further changes appear likely.

This is slightly more formal and is common in writing.

Common Mistakes with Likely, Bound and Sure To

Mistake 1: Forgetting “To”

Incorrect:

• She is likely pass the exam.
• He is bound arrive late.
• They are sure enjoy it.

Correct:

• She is likely to pass the exam.
• He is bound to arrive late.
• They are sure to enjoy it.

After likely, bound and sure, we usually use to + infinitive.

Mistake 2: Using “Will” After To

Incorrect:

• She is likely to will pass.
• He is bound to will come.

Correct:

• She is likely to pass.
• He is bound to come.

After to, use the base form of the verb:

• to pass
• to come
• to improve
• to change

Mistake 3: Confusing “Sure To” and “Sure About”

These are different structures.

Sure to + verb

This talks about something that will probably happen.

• She is sure to win.
• The film is sure to be popular.

Sure about + noun/-ing

This means confident about something.

• I’m sure about my decision.
• Are you sure about moving abroad?

Compare:

• He is sure to help us.
  = I believe he will help us.
• He is sure about helping us.
  = He has decided/confidently agreed to help us.

Mistake 4: Confusing “Bound To” and “Bound For”

These are not the same.

Bound to + verb

• She is bound to succeed.
  = She is almost certain to succeed.

Bound for + place

• This train is bound for London.
  = This train is going to London.

More examples:

• He is bound to be tired.
• The plane is bound for Paris.

Mistake 5: Using “More Likely” Incorrectly

Incorrect:

• Young people are more likely use apps.

Correct:

• Young people are more likely to use apps.

Remember:

more likely to + verb

Examples:

• Learners are more likely to remember words in context.
• People are more likely to buy a product if they trust the brand.

Likely, Bound and Sure To in Cambridge Writing

These expressions are very useful in B2 First and C1 Advanced writing because they help you express probability more precisely.

Instead of always writing:

• I think this will happen.

You can write:

• This is likely to happen.
• This is bound to cause problems.
• This approach is sure to produce better results.

Examples for essays:

• Online learning is likely to become even more common in the future.
• A lack of public transport is bound to create difficulties for people without cars.
• More investment in education is sure to benefit society in the long term.
• People are less likely to recycle if there are no recycling bins nearby.

These structures make your writing sound more advanced, balanced and natural.

Mini Dialogue

Maya: Do you think Ben will pass his driving test?

Tom: He’s likely to pass, but he still needs more practice.

Maya: What about Anna?

Tom: Anna? She’s bound to pass. She’s been practising for months.

Maya: And Mark?

Tom: Well, he forgot the date of the test twice, so he’s sure to make us all nervous!

Practice Exercise: Complete the Sentences

Complete the sentences with likely to, unlikely to, bound to or sure to.

1. The train is __________ be delayed because of the snow.
2. She is __________ enjoy the book because she loves mysteries.
3. If you never revise, you are __________ forget important details.
4. He is __________ come to the meeting because he is on holiday.
5. This mistake is __________ cause problems later.
6. Students who read every day are more __________ improve their vocabulary.
7. The film is __________ be popular with teenagers.
8. It is __________ that prices will rise again this year.

Answer key: 1. likely to, 2. sure to / likely to, 3. bound to, 4. unlikely to, 5. bound to / likely to, 6. likely to, 7. sure to / likely to, 8. likely

Final Thoughts

Likely to, bound to and sure to are excellent expressions for talking about probability in English.

Remember the basic difference:

• likely to = probable
• bound to = almost certain or inevitable
• sure to = almost certain, often with a confident or positive feeling

If you want to sound more natural and precise, especially in speaking and writing exams, don’t rely only on maybe, probably and I think. Expressions like likely to, bound to and sure to will help you express your ideas more clearly and confidently.

You may also find these grammar lessons useful:

Stronger Ways to Express Certainty 

Ways to Express Uncertainty 

Words and Phrases Followed by Infinitive 

B2 First Exam Tips: 10 Common FCE Mistakes to Avoid 

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