Prepositions after adjectives

Unlikely to, in, for, of, or at?

Unlikely is normally followed by to plus a verb. Other prepositions usually belong to separate phrases about place, time, or topic.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows unlikely?

The standard pattern is unlikely to plus a verb: unlikely to win. Phrases with in, for, of, or at usually add extra information rather than forming fixed combinations with unlikely.

She is unlikely to accept the offer.
Rain is unlikely in the afternoon.
It is unlikely for children to understand the contract.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

unlikely to + verb

Predicting that something probably will not happen

Use unlikely to before an infinitive verb.

The team is unlikely to qualify this year.

He seems unlikely to change his mind.

unlikely for + person + to + verb

Describing what is improbable for someone

Use for before the person involved in the action.

It is unlikely for the store to close before winter.

It seemed unlikely for her to refuse the invitation.

unlikely in + situation or time

Adding context

In usually introduces a time, place, or situation after unlikely.

Snow is unlikely in April here.

Such behaviour is unlikely in professional settings.

unlikely of + person

Commenting on behaviour

The pattern it is unlikely of someone to do something is formal and less common but idiomatic.

It was unlikely of him to arrive late.

That decision was unlikely of the company.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction

Example

Meaning

unlikely to

They are unlikely to agree.

standard pattern before a verb

unlikely in

Heavy traffic is unlikely in the village.

in adds place or situation

unlikely for

It is unlikely for prices to fall soon.

for introduces the person or thing involved

unlikely of

It was unlikely of her to forget.

formal comment on behaviour

unlikely at

Sales are unlikely at this stage.

generally unnatural unless at introduces a separate time or place phrase

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using unlikely with a bare verb

Use to before the verb.

✕ She is unlikely win. ✓ She is unlikely to win.

Using unlikely at as the main pattern

At is not normally selected by unlikely.

✕ The result is unlikely at. ✓ The result is unlikely.

Confusing unlikely of and unlikely for

Of comments on behaviour; for introduces the person connected to the action.

✕ It was unlikely for him to be rude in that way. ✓ It was unlikely of him to be rude in that way.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company is unlikely ___ expand this year.

2. Snow is unlikely ___ this region in summer.

3. It was unlikely ___ her to miss the meeting.

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Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most common pattern with unlikely?

The standard structure is unlikely to plus a verb.

Is unlikely for correct?

Yes. It often appears in structures such as it is unlikely for prices to rise.

Can unlikely be followed by of?

Yes, especially in formal English: it was unlikely of him to react that way.

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