The expression "most likely" causes many people to have difficulty with punctuation, as it may or may not require commas, depending on the role in the sentence (context). However, learning to determine whether isolation is necessary in a given situation is a simple matter.
Introductory construction
For correct punctuation, you need to determine whether the expression "most likely" is an introductory phrase.
What does that mean?
An introductory word (or a stable combination of words) is a construction that is not a member of a sentence and is not syntactically related to any of its members. It is impossible to ask a question to her either from the subject, or from the predicate, or from secondary members, from her it is also impossible to ask a question to other members.
Introductory words can, for example, convey the emotional coloring of a sentence ("fortunately", "unfortunately"), express confidence ("of course", "of course") or uncertainty ("probably","maybe") of the author or indicate a reference to someone's opinion ("in my opinion", "they say").
"Most likely" is highlighted with commas if it is an introductory phrase with a value of uncertainty, since an introductory word or expression always requires separation.
How can I tell?
- Introductory turn can be rearranged in any part of the sentence without losing the meaning. If "most likely" is at the beginning of a sentence, then it can be used at the end or in the middle, while the essence of the sentence remains unchanged.
- Introductory turn can be replaced by any other synonymous introductory construction. The introductory expression "most likely" should be replaced with the introductory word "probably" or the construction "maybe". If "most likely" is an introductory word, then the degree of confidence will change, but the meaning of the statement will not disappear.
- Introductory turnover can be excluded. The sentence must remain grammatically correct.
If the conditions are met, "most likely" is separated by commas.
Combination of adjective and pronoun
The word "more likely" can be an adjective in the comparative degree and be part of the predicate. Then "total" is a dependent word also in the predicate, is a definitive pronoun.
How can I tell?
It is enough to check the same three conditions.
If the conditions are not met, that is, when discarding,moving to another part of the sentence or replacing it with introductory constructions "maybe", "probably" the sentence loses its meaning or becomes grammatically incorrect, "most likely" is not separated by commas.
Examples
Consider two similar sentences:
This behavior was most likely predicted in advance.
This behavior was most likely.
In the first case, move to the beginning of the "most likely" sentence to see if commas are needed:
Most likely, this behavior was predicted in advance.
Replacing the phrase with "probably":
This behavior must have been predicted in advance.
Now let's try to discard the phrase in question:
This behavior was predicted in advance.
In all three cases, the sentence retained its meaning and remained grammatically correct. It can be concluded that in this sentence "most likely" is an introductory construction. Separate with commas on both sides. Of course, except at the very beginning or end of a sentence, when a comma on one side is sufficient.
Let's move on to the second sentence.
Move "most likely" to the beginning of the sentence.
Most likely this was the behavior.
As you can see, the result is a phrase that is extremely inconvenient for perception. But to be sure, let's check the other two features.
Change to "probably":
This behavior wasprobably.
The meaning is completely lost.
If we discard "most likely", then it remains:
This behavior was.
In this case, too, the meaning is completely lost.
Conclusion: in the considered sentence "most likely" is not an introductory word. So, do not separate "most likely" with commas.
