but probably that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but probably that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be used in a context where one is speculating about something, but it lacks clarity and completeness. Example: "I think he will come to the party, but probably that depends on his schedule."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The film is about fantasy, but probably that scene is reality, who knows?

The New York Times

Banks were asking for more restrictive loan covenants with additional collateral or lower loan-to-value ratios, he said, but "probably that process has reached its peak".

The New York Times

But probably that's just me.

The New York Times

They don't think they're disadvantaged, but probably that's how many readers of this page would see them.

The Guardian

Depends on which film, but probably that there was a little tension running between men and women.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

With nerds, I think that happens occasionally but probably not that often.

Huffington Post

"I've been booed in New York before, but probably not that much," Backman said.

The New York Times - Sports

"You do get peaks and troughs in sport, but probably not that pronounced," he said.

Independent

This is so simple yet but probably one that most people often forget.

WikiHow

But probably no longer than that.

The Economist

But you probably know that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, replace "but probably that" with more precise alternatives such as "but it's likely that" or "but perhaps that" to ensure your intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "but probably that" as it can create ambiguity. Instead, use clearer alternatives like "however, it's probable that" or "but that is likely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but probably that" functions as a conjunction introducing a contrasting idea with a degree of uncertainty. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is not considered grammatically strong and can be replaced with more precise alternatives for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "but probably that" is understandable, it is considered grammatically weak and lacks clarity in formal writing. Ludwig AI suggests that it’s better to use more precise alternatives like "but perhaps that" or "but it's likely that" to ensure your intended meaning is accurately conveyed. Given its rare usage and the availability of better options, it is advisable to avoid "but probably that" in favor of clearer, more grammatically sound phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but perhaps that

Substitutes "probably" with "perhaps", offering a slightly more formal alternative to express uncertainty, while retaining the contrast.

but it's likely that

Replaces "probably" with "likely", offering a more direct statement of probability while retaining the contrast.

but presumably that

Replaces "probably" with "presumably", suggesting an assumption based on evidence, while keeping the contrast.

but it's possible that

Substitutes "probably" with "possible", indicating a degree of uncertainty while maintaining the contrast.

but that could be

Uses "could be" to express possibility while maintaining the contrast.

but that might be

Expresses uncertainty about something with a contrasting element.

but it seems that

Replaces the probabilistic element with an observation, implying a conclusion based on available information with a contrasting element.

but it may be that

Offers a formal way to express possibility while maintaining the contrast.

but it could just be that

Adds emphasis to the possibility with "just be", expressing a casual uncertainty while maintaining the contrast.

however that might

Inverts the structure and uses "however" to introduce the contrasting element, indicating a possible alternative despite a previous statement.

FAQs

What does "but probably that" mean?

The phrase "but probably that" suggests a contrast or exception to a previous statement with an element of uncertainty. However, it is often considered grammatically awkward and can be replaced with more precise alternatives such as "but perhaps that" or "but it's likely that".

How can I rephrase "but probably that" for better clarity?

To improve clarity, consider using phrases like "but it is probable that", "however it is possible that", or "but it seems that". These alternatives provide a more grammatically correct and understandable way to express contrast and uncertainty.

Is "but probably that" grammatically correct?

While understandable in some contexts, "but probably that" is generally considered grammatically weak. It's better to opt for clearer alternatives to ensure your writing is precise and easily understood. Using "but presumably that" can be a good option.

When is it appropriate to use "but probably that"?

While not strictly incorrect, "but probably that" is best avoided in formal writing. In informal conversation, it might be used, but even then, alternatives like "but perhaps that" or "but it's likely that" offer improved clarity. Consider if "however that might be" can fit.