We've just heard a warning on the radio that a hurricane is likely to come.
有的教辅材料上说,上句中的 likely 是副词。是吗?
上句中的 likely 是个形容词,虽然以-ly 结尾。它可以单独用作定语或表语。be likely to 则具有半助动词的功能：
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John's likely to go to the beach tomorrow. 约翰可能明天到海滩去。
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It isn't likely to rain. 不可能下雨。
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They were not likely to forget it. 他们不可能忘掉它。
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It is therefore possible to say not only what the weather is like at present, but also what is likely to happen in the next day or two. (SEFC, 2B, p.9) 因此，它不仅可以报告当前的天气情况，而且可以预报未来一两天内天气可能发生的情况。
[附注] likely 也可用作副词：
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Most likely it will be a woman. 那很可能是个女人。
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They'll very likely come by car. 他们很可能乘汽车来。
请做下面的英语试题：
- The sky is clear, so it's not ____ to rain this afternoon.
A. doubtful B. likely C. certain D. rarely(全国自学考试,95-44)
- There are few electronic applications ____ to raise fears regarding future employment opportunities than robots.
A. likely B. more likely C. most likely D. much likely(全国四级,98.6-59)
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The boy students in this school are nearly ____ as the girl students to say they intend to get a college degree in business. A. as likely twice B. likely as twice C. as twice likely D. twice as likely(全国六级,95.1-49)
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On the whole, ambitious students are much likely to succeed in their studies than are those with little ambition. (全国研考,96-15)