it is probably not that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is probably not that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or uncertainty about a specific idea or assumption. Example: "While I appreciate your suggestion, it is probably not that simple to implement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Akram has previously described reverse swing as a "very simple" process but evidence tends to suggest it is probably not that easy to execute.

The Guardian - Sport

Even if people get the impression that the mandate is no longer going to be enforced, it is probably not that big a deal compared to the real threat of ACA repeal itself.

Harvard University

"It is probably not that dangerous, but it is a violation of the law," said David Albright, a former U.N. nuclear inspector and president the Institute for Science and International Security, a nonprofit research group in Washington.

The Washington Post

"It is probably not that different [running a public company compared with a privately held one]." However, after many sceptical guffaws in the Cannes audience he backtracked and said: "OK, I'm sure it is a lot different".

The Guardian

However, since this is a common haplotype, it is probably not that useful to distinguish amongst the various atypical parkinsonian syndromes, although one small study (from the genetic standpoint) demonstrated a nonsignificantly higher odds ratio of the H1/H1 genotype in the Richardson variant of PSP than in the PSP-Parkinsonism variant [ 47].

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

So if you've given it your best shot and just can't get accustomed to an early morning wake up, it's probably not that important.

Vice

It's probably not that important to get the okay because it is just information (Mary) But at the end of the day researchers aren't going to have your personal information so it shouldn't really matter.

BMC Medical Ethics

In fairness, it's probably not that.

The Guardian

"It's probably not that safe," she says.

The Guardian

If I can't figure out what I've written, it's probably not that great".

The New York Times - Magazine

"If they're showering at your place, it's probably not that big a deal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is probably not that", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Providing a specific reason for your doubt strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid stacking "it is probably not that" with other hedging phrases (e.g., "it seems that it is probably not that likely"). This can weaken your argument and make your writing sound uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is probably not that" serves as a hedge, softening a statement and expressing uncertainty or doubt. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression allows the speaker to introduce a degree of skepticism regarding a previous statement or assumption.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is probably not that" is a phrase used to express doubt or uncertainty. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, but appears with 'Rare' frequency. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals the phrase is primarily found in News & Media, Science, and Academia contexts, maintaining a neutral register. To improve writing, ensure clarity in context and avoid overusing hedging language. Consider alternatives like "it's likely not that" or "it may not be that" for variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's likely not that

Changes "it is probably" to "it's likely", offering a more informal tone.

It's possibly not that

Replaces "probably" with "possibly", indicating a weaker degree of certainty.

It's unlikely that

Replaces "probably not that" with "unlikely that", indicating a stronger sense of doubt.

It's doubtful that

Substitutes "probably not that" with "doubtful that", suggesting a higher degree of skepticism.

It may not be that

Uses "may not be" instead of "is probably not", expressing possibility rather than probability.

I doubt that it is

Inverts the sentence structure, placing emphasis on the speaker's doubt.

That seems unlikely

Rephrases to focus on the perceived likelihood of something.

That's likely not it

Changes the structure to focus on 'that' and uses 'likely not it' for brevity.

That's probably not the case

Rephrases to focus on the overall situation rather than a specific element.

I wouldn't bet on it

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey doubt about the statement's truth.

FAQs

How can I use "it is probably not that" in a sentence?

Use "it is probably not that" to express uncertainty or doubt about a particular statement or assumption. For example, "While the solution looks promising, "it is probably not that" simple to implement".

What are some alternatives to saying "it is probably not that"?

You can use alternatives like "it's likely not that", "it's unlikely that", or "it may not be that" depending on the specific context and the degree of uncertainty you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it is probably not that" or "it probably isn't that"?

Both "it is probably not that" and "it probably isn't that" are grammatically correct. The contracted form "it probably isn't that" is more informal and suitable for casual writing and conversation, while "it is probably not that" is slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "it is probably not that" and "it is possibly not that"?

"It is probably not that" suggests a higher degree of doubt than "it is possibly not that". "Probably" implies a greater likelihood of being untrue compared to "possibly" which indicates a mere chance or potential.