He is not likely to come.

[Little man]

Hello. I have some questions and hope you will help me.
The pattern which I would like to discuss is: Noun/Pronoun + to be + adjective + infinitive.

He is likely to come.
They are sure to come.

My questions are:
1. Where is the right place for "not"? - before or after adjective?
He is not likely to come. or He is likely not to come.
They are not sure to come. or They are sure not to come.

2. I know that the sentence - He is possible to do it is wrong, but Why? Why cannot we use the words - possible, probable, certain and other words of possibility in this pattern?

I greatly hope for your help. Thank you in advance.

 

[emsr2d2]

"He is possible to do it" is wrong because a person can't be possible.

 

[Little man]

O.K., thank you.
And, Where is the right place for "not"? - before or after adjective?
He is not likely to come. or He is likely not to come.
They are not sure to come. or They are sure not to come.

 

[Matthew Wai]

He is not likely to come.
They are sure not to come.

 

[Rover_KE]

They are not sure to come means 'They might come or they might not come'.

They are sure not to come means 'They will definitely not come'.