Public Services and Procurement Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Institutional Links

 

Important notice

Writing Tips has been archived and won’t be updated before it is permanently deleted.

For the most up-to-date content, please consult Writing Tips Plus, which combines content from Writing Tips and The Canadian Style. And don’t forget to update your bookmarks!

Search Canada.ca
To begin your search, go to the alphabetical index below and click on the first letter of the word you are searching for.

liable, likely, apt

Although these words are largely interchangeable when used to express probability, each of them has a specific primary meaning.

Apt means "naturally inclined" or "suitable."

  • Ginger, the cat, is apt (inclined) to run away if the door is left open.
  • For a freelance editor, a thesaurus is an apt (suitable) gift.

Liable means "answerable" or "likely" (especially with some risk of an unpleasant outcome). It should not be used in a positive context.

  • Criminals are liable for their actions.
  • People who drink and drive are liable to cause an accident.

Likely means "expected" or "probable." For most situations, likely is the best choice.

  • We are likely (or liable) to be late for the concert if this heavy rain continues.
  • Shanta is likely (not liable) to get the highest marks in her class again this year.