is probably not

USAGE SUMMARY

"is probably not" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can generally use it when you are talking about something that is likely not to be the case. For example: "I think that it is going to rain tomorrow, but that is probably not the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My guess is probably not.

The Economist

It is probably not.

The New York Times - Magazine

Schism is probably not an overstatement.

The New York Times - Health

The short answer is probably not.

The Economist

"This is probably not the right patient".

The New Yorker

Accusing him of theft is probably not.

The New York Times

That is probably not much help.

The New York Times

Doing nothing is probably not an option.

The Economist

This is probably not what they mean.

The New Yorker

"My hunch is probably not," Hood replies.

The Guardian

But that is probably not enough.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is probably not" to express a moderate degree of uncertainty or doubt about a statement. It's suitable when you want to avoid making a definitive claim.

Common error

In formal or academic writing, avoid overuse. Opt for more precise language to convey the level of uncertainty, such as "is unlikely" or "is not expected to be".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is probably not" functions as a hedge or qualifier, softening a statement and indicating a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is probably not" is a versatile phrase used to express a moderate level of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It functions as a hedge, allowing speakers and writers to avoid definitive statements. While its usage spans various contexts, it is particularly common in News & Media and Science. To enhance clarity in formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively communicate doubt and qualify your claims with confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is likely not

Replaces "probably" with "likely", suggesting a similar level of uncertainty.

is almost certainly not

Adds emphasis to the unlikelihood of something being true.

is unlikely to be

Emphasizes the improbability of something being the case.

is perhaps not

Substitutes "probably" with "perhaps", implying a slightly weaker level of certainty.

is doubtful

Indicates a stronger sense of disbelief or uncertainty.

is possibly not

Uses "possibly" instead of "probably", suggesting a lower degree of likelihood.

is not expected to be

Focuses on the lack of expectation for something to occur.

may well not be

Expresses a possibility that something is not the case.

is certainly not

Indicates a high degree of confidence that something is not the case.

it seems unlikely

Shifts the focus to the perceived likelihood of an event.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "is probably not" in a sentence?

Use "is probably not" when you want to express a moderate degree of uncertainty or doubt. It suggests that something is less likely to be true, but without complete conviction.

What are some alternatives to "is probably not"?

You can use alternatives like "is likely not", "is unlikely to be", or "is doubtful" to convey similar meanings.

Is "is probably not" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal academic writing, consider using more precise and nuanced expressions of uncertainty to enhance clarity and rigor. For example, "it is unlikely" or "it is possible".

What's the difference between "is probably not" and "is certainly not"?

"Is probably not" suggests a moderate level of uncertainty, while "is certainly not" indicates a high degree of confidence that something is false or untrue.