Someone/something could likely do something

[sunsunmoon]

NFL.com news: Some teams just a QB away from returning to contention
The Bengals could likely get a high pick -- although maybe not a first-rounder -- for Palmer if trades are allowed before the draft takes place.

Cancer center could be announced
In downtown Worcester, the hospital likely could choose from sites at Gateway Park, the CitySquare development where Unum Group is planning new offices, or Washington Square.

- Someone/something could likely do something
- Someone/something likely could do something

Are both correct?

[TheParser]

NFL.com news: Some teams just a QB away from returning to contention
The Bengals could likely get a high pick -- although maybe not a first-rounder -- for Palmer if trades are allowed before the draft takes place.

Cancer center could be announced
In downtown Worcester, the hospital likely could choose from sites at Gateway Park, the CitySquare development where Unum Group is planning new offices, or Washington Square.

- Someone/something could likely do something
- Someone/something likely could do something

Are both correct?

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) Yes, I believe that both sentences are "correct."

(2) I believe that most books tell us that we should say:

very/quite/most likely.

(3) I believe that many (most) Americans ignore that rule and

use "likely" by itself, as in your two examples.

(4) I believe that if you are doing university-level writing (or even

speaking), you should follow the rule, though. That is, write:

The Bengals could quite likely get a quick pick.

(5) I was able to find on the Web this discussion:

No. 1. We will likely be finished by December.

No. 2. We likely will be finished by December.

The expert who answered this question said that s/he preferred to

"bury" the adverb inside the verb phrase (as in No. 1). S/he said that

No. 2 was not wrong, of course.

(6) I am sure that you have noticed that No. 1 reads smoothly,

but if you read No. 2 aloud, do you notice that you are "forced" to stop

for a pause after the word "likely"? I guess that some people would say

No. 2 is used when you wish to emphasize the adverb. It is only my

opinion that many Americans probably prefer No. 1.

(7) By the way, "likely" is a so-called sentence adverb. That is, it

refers to the whole sentence. If you use "perfect" English and use

very/most/quite in front of "likely," then you can place it many locations:

Quite likely, the Bengals could get a quick pick.

The Bengals (very) likely could get a quick pick.

The Bengals could (most) likely get a quick pick.

The Bengals could get a quick pick, most likely.

(8) I think that if we just place the adverb after the first auxiliary,

we will be writing "good" English. Later on -- as we understand

English better -- we can move it around to express different

feelings. I am an old man and English is my only language, but

adverb placement still confuses me.

(9) Hopefully, a teacher will soon give us the ("thee")answer.

[nyota]

Parser, is it me or is there a really long pause after your last sentence?

[TheParser]

Parser, is it me or is there a really long pause after your last sentence?

Thanks a million for letting this computer illiterate know about it.

[nyota]

Thanks a million for letting this computer illiterate know about it.

Bah! Persuasive effect, that's what it was for.

[TheParser]

Bah! Persuasive effect, that's what it was for.

Yeah, right!!!