Be liable to: How and When to Use in English
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Be liable to
Be liable to expresses the idea of a risk:
That company is liable to go bankrupt if its stocks continue to drop at this rate. That company runs the risk of going bankrupt if the value of its stocks continues to fall.
Even Susie is liable to get fired. Even Susie runs the risk of being fired.
Exercise 1
Polly: I go crazy working at this place.
Philip: I know what you mean. It the intensity of the work.
Polly: No, not really. I think it's the incompetence of my male colleagues.
Philip: But I'm one of your male colleagues.
Polly: Yes. In fact, it that I'll kill one of you by the end of the week.
Philip: Does this mean we're not going for that drink later?
Polly: It's safe to say that we won't be going for a drink later.
Philip: I think it time for me to leave.
Philip: I know what you mean. It the intensity of the work.
Polly: No, not really. I think it's the incompetence of my male colleagues.
Philip: But I'm one of your male colleagues.
Polly: Yes. In fact, it that I'll kill one of you by the end of the week.
Philip: Does this mean we're not going for that drink later?
Polly: It's safe to say that we won't be going for a drink later.
Philip: I think it time for me to leave.
Polly: I am liable to 1 go crazy working at this place.
Philip: I know what you mean. It is probably 2 the intensity of the work.
Polly: No, not really. I think it's the incompetence of my male colleagues.
Philip: But I'm one of your male colleagues.
Polly: Yes. In fact, it is likely 3 that I'll kill one of you by the end of the week.
Philip: Does this mean we're not going for that drink later?
Polly: It's safe to say that we won't be going for a drink later.
Philip: I think it is probably 4 time for me to leave.
Philip: I know what you mean. It is probably 2 the intensity of the work.
Polly: No, not really. I think it's the incompetence of my male colleagues.
Philip: But I'm one of your male colleagues.
Polly: Yes. In fact, it is likely 3 that I'll kill one of you by the end of the week.
Philip: Does this mean we're not going for that drink later?
Polly: It's safe to say that we won't be going for a drink later.
Philip: I think it is probably 4 time for me to leave.
1 am liable to: This is the best choice here. We use 'liable to' here to express that Polly's insanity or craziness is the possible result of her working at Delavigne.
1 am probably: 'Am probably' cannot precede the verb 'go' in this case. We could say: 'I'm probably going home for Christmas, but I don't know'.
1 am likely: We cannot use 'am likely' here because it must be preceded by the preposition 'to'. For example: 'I'm likely to go crazy...'.
2 is probably: This is the best choice here. 'It is probably' often precedes a noun, like 'intensity'.
2 is liable to: 'It is liable to' must be followed by a verb. It cannot work here, followed by the article 'the'.
2 is likely to: 'It is likely to' must be followed by a verb. It cannot work here, followed by the noun 'pace'.
3 is likely: This is the best choice here. 'It is likely that' uses the impersonal subject 'it'. 'It is likely that I will...' is synonymous with 'I will probably...'.
3 is liable: We cannot use 'liable', because it does not make sense in this construction. We frequently use the term 'liable' to describe a person. For example 'He is liable to hurt himself if he doesn't wear protection'. 'Liable' is rarely used to describe a general subject such as 'it', unless it refers to a specific idea which has already been established.
3 is probably: 'Probably' does not make sense here. We might say 'it is probable...', but as an adverb 'probably' does not fit in this construction. We could say: 'I'll probably kill...'.
4 is probably: 'Probably' is the only correct choice here. The adverb 'probably' expresses that Philip will leave immediately after hearing Polly's rejection.
4 is liable: 'Liable' does not make sense here. We frequently use the term 'liable' to describe a person. For example: 'Horatio is liable to become an alcoholic if he continues to drink so much'. 'Liable' is rarely used to describe a general idea such as 'it'.
4 is likely: 'Likely' does not make sense here. We could say: 'I'm likely to be leaving soon' but this does not have the same meaning, and will probably not be found very often among everyday English.
Exercise 2
Philip: Is Bruno to come back to the office this afternoon?
Polly: I don't think so, since he will most go out with the board members after his meeting.
Philip: There's a customer who is to cancel his order because it was supposed to arrive two weeks ago. The delay is most a result of the poor weather conditions affecting the delivery.
Polly: I can leave a message on his cell phone.
Philip: Thanks Polly. You're a doll.
Polly : I'm to kill you if you call me 'doll' one more time.
Polly: I don't think so, since he will most go out with the board members after his meeting.
Philip: There's a customer who is to cancel his order because it was supposed to arrive two weeks ago. The delay is most a result of the poor weather conditions affecting the delivery.
Polly: I can leave a message on his cell phone.
Philip: Thanks Polly. You're a doll.
Polly : I'm to kill you if you call me 'doll' one more time.
Philip: Is Bruno likely 1 to come back to the office this afternoon?
Polly: I don't think so, since he will most likely 2 go out with the board members after his meeting.
Philip: There's a customer who is liable 3 to cancel his order because it was supposed to arrive two weeks ago. The delay is most likely 4 a result of the poor weather conditions affecting the delivery.
Polly: I can leave a message on his cell phone.
Philip: Thanks Polly. You're a doll.
Polly : I'm liable 5 to kill you if you call me 'doll' one more time.
Polly: I don't think so, since he will most likely 2 go out with the board members after his meeting.
Philip: There's a customer who is liable 3 to cancel his order because it was supposed to arrive two weeks ago. The delay is most likely 4 a result of the poor weather conditions affecting the delivery.
Polly: I can leave a message on his cell phone.
Philip: Thanks Polly. You're a doll.
Polly : I'm liable 5 to kill you if you call me 'doll' one more time.
1 likely: This is the best choice here. We use 'likely to' to express probability. Philip would like to know if it is probable that Bruno will be returning to the office.
1 liable: 'Liable' is incorrect here because it expresses a possible risk. In this context, it would not be a risk for Philip if Bruno returned to the office. In fact, Philip needs to speak with Bruno quite urgently.
1 probably: 'Probably' is grammatically incorrect here. We cannot use 'probably' followed by the infinitive form of the verb (to come back).
2 likely: This is the best choice here. The adverb 'likely' is used to express the possibility of something happening. Polly is saying that it is very possible (most likely) that Bruno will go out with the board members.
2 can: 'Can' is grammatically incorrect here because it cannot follow 'most' in this sentence.
2 due: 'Due' does not make sense here. 'Be due to' is not often used in questions. It is usually used to express scheduled actions. For example: 'The train is due to arrive at 8 PM'.
3 liable: This is the best choice here. 'Liable' expresses a possible risk. Philip is telling Polly that there is a risk that the customer will cancel.
3 probably: 'Probably' is grammatically incorrect here. We cannot use 'probably' followed by the infinitive form of the verb (to cancel).
3 due: 'Due' does not make sense here. We would not say that someone is 'due' to act in a certain way. 'Due' is usually used to describe facts that are expected to occur. For example: 'His plane is due to arrive at 8 PM'.
4 likely: This is the best choice here. The adverb 'likely' is used to express the possibility of something happening. The delay is 'possibly' the result of the weather.
4 liable: 'Liable' is grammatically incorrect in this construction. We cannot say 'is most liable a result'.
4 always: 'Always' is grammatically incorrect in this case. We could say, however, that delays are 'almost always' the result of poor weather conditions.
5 liable: This is the best choice here. 'Liable' expresses a possible risk. There is a risk that Polly is going to kill Philip if he calls her a 'doll' again.
5 probably: 'Probably' is grammatically incorrect here, even though it expresses possibility. 'Probably' does not often precede 'to'.
5 can: 'Can' is grammatically incorrect here. We cannot use two verbs one directly after another, both conjugated in the present tense ('am can').
Exercise 3
Bruno: Since these negotiations are taking longer than I had planned, I'm be out of town until next Tuesday. Do you think you could reschedule all of my appointments?
Polly: Sure. That should be no problem. However, you have an extremely important meeting with a potential customer on Monday. And they are refuse another appointment.
Bruno: Well, I do have very urgent matters to attend to out of town. Were they place an order?
Polly: I believe that was the topic of the meeting.
Polly: Sure. That should be no problem. However, you have an extremely important meeting with a potential customer on Monday. And they are refuse another appointment.
Bruno: Well, I do have very urgent matters to attend to out of town. Were they place an order?
Polly: I believe that was the topic of the meeting.
Bruno: Since these negotiations are taking longer than I had planned, I'm liable to 1 be out of town until next Tuesday. Do you think you could reschedule all of my appointments?
Polly: Sure. That should be no problem. However, you have an extremely important meeting with a potential customer on Monday. And they are liable to 2 refuse another appointment.
Bruno: Well, I do have very urgent matters to attend to out of town. Were they likely to 3 place an order?
Polly: I believe that was the topic of the meeting.
Polly: Sure. That should be no problem. However, you have an extremely important meeting with a potential customer on Monday. And they are liable to 2 refuse another appointment.
Bruno: Well, I do have very urgent matters to attend to out of town. Were they likely to 3 place an order?
Polly: I believe that was the topic of the meeting.
1 liable to: This is the best choice here. 'Liable' expresses a possible risk. Bruno is telling Polly that there is a risk he will be staying out of town until next Tuesday.
1 likely: 'Likely' is grammatically incorrect here. We could say, however: 'I'm likely to be out of the office until Tuesday', though 'liable' is the better choice in this context.
1 due: 'Due' is grammatically incorrect here. We cannot use 'due' in such a construction without 'to'. Also, we would not use 'due to' in this context.
1 already: 'Already' is grammatically incorrect in this context. We cannot use 'already' in between 'I'm' and 'be'. We could say, however: 'I'm always out of town on Tuesdays'.
2 liable to: This is the best choice here. 'Liable' expresses a possible risk. Polly is explaining to Bruno the possible 'risk' that their potential customer may not be willing to reschedule the meeting.
2 not: 'Not' is grammatically incorrect here. We could say however: 'They are not going to refuse another appointment' or 'They will not refuse another appointment'.
2 due: 'Due' is grammatically incorrect here. We cannot use 'due' in this context without it being followed by 'to'. However, the phrase: 'They are due to refuse another appointment' is still not the correct use of the phrase.
3 likely to: This is the best choice here. 'Likely to' expresses the possibility of the customer placing an order.
3 most likely to: This choice does not make sense in this context. 'Most likely' (when it means 'very likely' or 'quite likely') is almost never used in questions in English. We could say, however: 'I am most likely going to be out very late tonight'.
3 liable to: This choice does not make sense in this context. 'Liable' expresses a possible risk. And Bruno would not refer to a possible order as a 'risk'.
Exercise 4
Choose the appropriate meaning for each phrase. Be careful! Each answer is used only once:
'Harold is liable to lose his temper' =
'Harold is bound to lose his temper' =
'Harold is apt to lose his temper' =
'Harold is liable to lose his temper' =
'Harold is bound to lose his temper' =
'Harold is apt to lose his temper' =
Choose the appropriate meaning for each phrase. Be careful! Each answer is used only once:
'Harold is liable to lose his temper' = There is a strong chance that Harold will lose his temper 1
'Harold is bound to lose his temper' = It is inevitable that Harold will lose his temper 2
'Harold is apt to lose his temper' = Harold has a tendency to lose his temper 3
'Harold is liable to lose his temper' = There is a strong chance that Harold will lose his temper 1
'Harold is bound to lose his temper' = It is inevitable that Harold will lose his temper 2
'Harold is apt to lose his temper' = Harold has a tendency to lose his temper 3
1 There is a strong chance that Harold will lose his temper: This is correct. The construction 'be liable to...' expresses that there is a risk or strong chance that an action will occur. There is frequently a clause in this type of construction which details the cause or reason for a risk. For example: 'Harold is liable to lose his temper IF the poor sales continue'.
1 It is inevitable that Harold will lose his temper: This is incorrect. The 'be liable to' construction doesn't express inevitability, but rather risk or strong chance.
1 Harold has a tendency to lose his temper: This is incorrect. The 'be liable to' construction does not express tendency or habitual actions.
2 It is inevitable that Harold will lose his temper: This is the correct choice. The 'be bound to' construction expresses inevitability, or the certainty that an action or event will occur. In this case, we are saying that it is sure that Harold will lose his temper.
2 Harold has a tendency to lose his temper: This is incorrect. The 'be bound to' construction does not express that someone has a tendency to do something, but rather that it is inevitable.
2 There is a strong chance that Harold will lose his temper: This is incorrect. The 'be bound to' construction does not express that someone there is a strong chance or risk of an action occurring, it actually expresses inevitability or certainty.
3 Harold has a tendency to lose his temper: This is the correct choice. The 'be apt to' construction expresses that an action is habitual or that there is a tendency associated with the action. In this case, Harold has a tendency to lose his temper (frequently or habitually).
3 There is a strong chance that Harold will lose his temper: This is incorrect. The 'be apt to' construction does not express chance or risk that an action will occur, but rather that there is a tendency or habit associated with the particular action.
3 It is inevitable that Harold will lose his temper: This is incorrect. The 'be apt to' construction does not express that an action is inevitable, but rather that an action is habitual.
Exercise 5
Select the correct terms from the drop down menus.
Kevin: What are you doing three months from Saturday?
Trey: I have no idea. I’m be free. Why do you ask?
Kevin: I won a trip on a hot air balloon and wanted to see if you want to come with me.
Trey: Yes! You’ll have to remind me because I am forget.
Kevin: Great. I should warn you that it is in Antarctica.
Trey: Antarctica? Isn’t it be freezing?
Kevin: Make sure to pack your parka!
Kevin: What are you doing three months from Saturday?
Trey: I have no idea. I’m be free. Why do you ask?
Kevin: I won a trip on a hot air balloon and wanted to see if you want to come with me.
Trey: Yes! You’ll have to remind me because I am forget.
Kevin: Great. I should warn you that it is in Antarctica.
Trey: Antarctica? Isn’t it be freezing?
Kevin: Make sure to pack your parka!
Select the correct terms from the drop down menus.
Kevin: What are you doing three months from Saturday?
Trey: I have no idea. I’m likely to 1 be free. Why do you ask?
Kevin: I won a trip on a hot air balloon and wanted to see if you want to come with me.
Trey: Yes! You’ll have to remind me because I am liable to 2 forget.
Kevin: Great. I should probably 3 warn you that it is in Antarctica.
Trey: Antarctica? Isn’t it liable to 4 be freezing?
Kevin: Make sure to pack your parka!
Kevin: What are you doing three months from Saturday?
Trey: I have no idea. I’m likely to 1 be free. Why do you ask?
Kevin: I won a trip on a hot air balloon and wanted to see if you want to come with me.
Trey: Yes! You’ll have to remind me because I am liable to 2 forget.
Kevin: Great. I should probably 3 warn you that it is in Antarctica.
Trey: Antarctica? Isn’t it liable to 4 be freezing?
Kevin: Make sure to pack your parka!
1 likely to: This is the best choice here. The construction “be likely to” is generally used to describe something which has a relatively high probability of occurring.
1 liable: This is grammatically incorrect. The construction “be liable” must be followed by the preposition “to”.
1 probably: “Probably” does not make sense here. We could say "I'm probably free" or “I will probably be free”, but not "I'm probably be free", which is grammatically incorrect.
2 liable to: This is the best choice here. We use “liable to” here to express the strong chance that Trey will most likely forget if he is not reminded. We can use “liable” here because forgetting is considered a negative action.
2 likely: This is incorrect. The construction “be likely” must be followed by the preposition “to”. For example, we could say “I am likely to forget”.
2 probably to: This is incorrect. The construction “probably to” is grammatically incorrect. Trey could say “I will probably forget”.
3 probably: This is the best choice here. “I should probably warn you” is a common phrase in English, usually sarcastic. Here, it expresses Kevin’s obligation to tell Trey to be prepared for Antarctica. Example: Before you come inside I should probably warn you about my pet lion.
3 liable: This is incorrect. The construction “I should liable warn you” is not grammatically correct.
3 likely: This is incorrect. The construction “I should likely warn you” is not grammatically correct.
4 liable to: This is the best choice here. “Liable to” is synonymous with “likely to” (when used before something considered negative, like cold weather in this case).
4 probably: This is incorrect. The construction “isn’t it probably be” is grammatically incorrect. We could say “Isn't it probable that it will be freezing?” or “It will probably be freezing”.
4 likely: This is incorrect. The construction “be likely” must be followed by the preposition “to”. For example, we could say “Isn’t it likely to be freezing?”.
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