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it's probable
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's probable that Mr. Zuckerberg's valuation of the shares will be much lower than that of the secondary market.

News & Media

The New York Times

Even so, it's probable biotech, with its historically high scaling costs, will remain the top sector for fast climbers.

News & Media

TechCrunch

"I think it's probable that each chemical class will have its own set of toxicity pathways for whatever adverse events are characterized for that class".

Science

Environmental Health Perspectives

"It's probable," he replies.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It's probable that was a farewell from Danny though.

News & Media

Independent

So it's probable that robotics becomes a significant component of nation state warfare.

News & Media

The Guardian - Tech

Boris Stout will direct his screenplay, and says it's probable that Ian Hart will play Vince.

News & Media

The Guardian - Film

"In fact, it's probable that the Internet will lead to larger blockbusters, more concentration of brands".

News & Media

The New Yorker

If he did, it's probable that he would have regarded it with a world-weary eye.

News & Media

The Guardian

In the course of time, however, it's probable that the company will acquire new work.

News & Media

The Guardian

It's probable but not yet certain that Massoud has been killed.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer this phrase in journalistic or analytical writing to maintain objectivity while still making a prediction

Common error

Avoid combining "it's probable" with other modal verbs like 'might' or 'could' (e.g. 'it's probable that it might happen'). This creates a redundant hedge that weakens your statement and confuses the level of certainty

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's probable" functions as an introductory anticipatory 'it' clause. It uses a dummy subject ('it') to set a modal frame for the subsequent clause, indicating the speaker's assessment of truth-value. According to Ludwig, it often precedes a 'that' clause to introduce logical deductions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

Academic

Social Media

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "it's probable" is a robust and versatile phrase used to indicate a high degree of likelihood. Ludwig AI's data shows a strong presence in News & Media and Science, where precise hedging is required. While it is interchangeable with "it is likely", it carries a slightly more analytical tone. To maintain professional clarity, writers should ensure they do not double-hedge by adding modal verbs like 'might' to the following clause. Whether used in a scientific paper or a news report, it remains a standard tool for expressing reasoned expectations.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is likely

A direct and more common synonym used in both speech and writing

in all probability

A slightly more formal prepositional phrase emphasizing the weight of evidence

it's expected

Suggests a likelihood based on planned events or anticipated trends

it is almost certain

Conveys a higher level of confidence than the standard probable

it's plausible

Suggests that something could be true or reasonable but not necessarily likely

chances are

An idiomatic and more informal way to introduce a likely outcome

presumably

An adverbial alternative that implies an assumption based on logic

it's fairly certain

Adds a qualifier to indicate a strong but not absolute likelihood

it is odds-on

A British idiom often used in betting or informal competitive contexts

it's a safe bet

A colloquial expression indicating a high degree of predictability

FAQs

How do I use "it's probable" in a sentence?

You use it as an introductory clause to a statement of likelihood, for example: "it's probable that the market will recover by next year".

What is the difference between "it's probable" and "it's possible"?

While "it's possible" means something has any chance of happening, "it's probable" indicates that it is more likely than not to happen.

Can I use "it is likely" instead of "it's probable"?

Yes, "it is likely" is a perfect synonym and is often preferred in less formal contexts.

Is "it's probable" considered formal English?

It is generally considered neutral to formal. In strictly academic writing, you might prefer "it is highly probable" or "it is likely that" without the contraction.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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it's probableGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

it's probable
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples