John will most likely ......,

[Freeguy]

John will most likely ......, but Kathy will probably stay home.

1. coming
2. come
3. be come
4. had come

Don't we use infinitive with to after "likely"? None of the options sounds natural to me. Would you please share your opinions?
Answer key: No.2

Thanks!

 

[beesting]

**Not a teacher**

John will most likely ......, but Kathy will probably stay home.

1. coming
2. come
3. be come
4. had come

Don't we use infinitive with to after "likely"? None of the options sounds natural to me. Would you please share your opinions?
Answer key: No.2

Thanks!

John will most likely come, but Kathy will probably stay home. :tick:

Alternative ways to "convey" it would be:

John is most likely to come, but Kathy will probably stay home
John will most likely be coming, but Kathy will probably stay home.

 

[Freeguy]

If we can use "likely" with bare infinitive, so why most of the grammar books strongly avoid it?

 

[5jj]

If we can use "likely" with bare infinitive, [STRIKE]so[/STRIKE] why do most of the grammar books strongly avoid it?

In British English, 'He will likely come' is non-standard. However, 'He will most likely come' is fine.

 

[bhaisahab]

If we can use "likely" with bare infinitive, so why most of the grammar books strongly avoid it?

"will most likely to" doesn't work. If "likely" follows a form of "be", "to" is necessary.