but very probably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but very probably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a high likelihood or assumption about something, often in a speculative context. Example: "The project will be completed on time, but very probably with some minor adjustments along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The interior minister, Thomas de Maizière, said there were no children among the 12 victims, but very probably youths and foreigners.

The Guardian

The regression analysis makes the following predictions for the number of seats that Democrats will win in the House next year based on various results in the House popular vote: If the House popular vote were to be a tie next year, Democrats would pick up a few seats — but very probably not enough to win the majority from Republicans.

The New York Times

Peppers are not known for any nematicide activity, but very probably act as traps.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But Miyazaki will very probably poll enough votes to get the big prize.

The Guardian

That would be most unlikely to cost Labour its place in a coalition; but it would very probably cost Mr Melkert the prime ministership.

The Economist

Many critics of civilian trials claim that this problem would not have occurred in a military commission, but that is very probably wrong.

The Washington Post

Similar results have been found in other research on informal care (Ettner 1996), but these phenomena are very probably more acute in the Spanish case owing to the relative scarcity of part-time contracts in Spain (European Commission 2004).

SERIEs

The functional consequences of each of the human mutations we detected is not known, but some at least very probably lead to loss of function, as caused by partial chd2 knockdown that results in markedly enhanced photosensitivity in zebrafish.

Brain

The new personal income numbers imply, however, that growth has been unsteady, and for the most part slow — but that the economy is very probably not actually contracting.

The New York Times

Very probably.

The New York Times

Very, probably.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but very probably" to introduce a statement that is highly likely but not definitively certain, allowing for a nuanced expression of expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "but very probably" when you have concrete evidence or near-certainty; instead, use stronger affirmative statements to reflect the level of confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but very probably" functions as an adverbial phrase that qualifies a preceding statement. It introduces a high degree of likelihood while still acknowledging a degree of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms this with its assessment of the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but very probably" serves as a useful tool for expressing a high degree of likelihood without absolute certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s grammatically correct. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral tone and is suitable for academic and objective reporting. For situations demanding alternatives, phrases like "but most likely" or "but quite likely" offer similar nuances. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the situation's actual level of certainty to avoid overstating or undermining the assertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but most likely

Substitutes "very probably" with "most likely", indicating a higher degree of confidence.

but quite likely

Replaces "very probably" with "quite likely", slightly softening the degree of certainty.

but in all likelihood

Replaces "very probably" with a more formal "in all likelihood", maintaining a similar level of probability.

but almost certainly

Indicates a very high degree of probability, close to certainty, and reinforces the belief in something.

but it is highly probable

Uses a more formal and explicit structure to express a high level of probability.

but presumably

Suggests that something is likely based on presumption, reducing the emphasis on explicit probability.

but one would expect

Replaces probability with an expectation, shifting the focus to anticipated outcomes.

but it seems reasonable to assume

Replaces direct probability with a reasoned assumption, adding a layer of justification.

but reasonably

Suggests that something is likely based on reason, reducing the emphasis on explicit probability.

but I'd wager

Expresses a speculative assumption based on probability.

FAQs

How can I use "but very probably" in a sentence?

Use "but very probably" to indicate a high degree of likelihood that something will occur or is true, without absolute certainty. For example, "The project will be completed on time, "but very probably" with some minor adjustments along the way."

What are some alternatives to "but very probably"?

You can use alternatives like "but most likely", "but quite likely", or "in all likelihood" depending on the context and the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Is "but very probably" formal or informal?

"But very probably" leans towards a neutral to slightly formal register. For more informal contexts, "but most likely" might be more suitable.

Can "but very probably" be used in academic writing?

Yes, "but very probably" is appropriate for academic writing when expressing a high probability that is supported by evidence but not definitively proven. It allows for nuanced and cautious claims.