it probably

USAGE SUMMARY

"it probably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a sentence to express a high likelihood or probability of something happening. For example: "It probably won't snow in May, but we should still bring warm clothes just in case." Here, "it probably" is used to indicate the likelihood of snow in May, but it is not certain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It probably should be.

The New York Times

It probably always was.

The Economist

It probably inspires confidence.

The New York Times

It probably will.

Forbes

But it probably didn't.

The Economist

It probably wasn't.

The New York Times

And it probably is.

The New York Times

But it probably shouldn't.

The New York Times - Arts

It probably can't.

The Economist

It probably always will.

The New York Times

It probably has.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it probably" to express a reasoned guess or expectation based on available information, when you want to convey a degree of uncertainty while still indicating a belief in a particular outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "it probably" when you possess definitive evidence. Choose a more assertive phrase like "it definitely is" or "it will" when you have concrete proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it probably" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically expressing a degree of probability or likelihood. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It modifies a verb or entire clause to indicate the speaker's assessment of how likely something is to happen or be true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it probably" is a common and versatile adverbial phrase used to express likelihood or probability. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable in diverse writing scenarios. Predominantly found in neutral contexts like news and media, it serves to soften assertions and convey a degree of uncertainty. When using "it probably", be mindful of not overstating certainty and consider alternatives such as "it is likely" or "chances are" for nuanced expressions. Overall, it's a reliable and widely accepted way to express reasoned expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is likely

Replaces "probably" with "likely", maintaining a similar degree of certainty but using a slightly more formal tone.

it is probable

Substitutes "probably" with "probable", indicating a high chance of occurrence with a more formal connotation.

it seems likely

Adds "seems" to soften the assertion, implying the likelihood is based on available evidence rather than certainty.

it is expected

Suggests that something is anticipated to happen, replacing the element of uncertainty in "probably" with a sense of expectation.

it would seem

Emphasizes the appearance of something being the case, introducing a more tentative tone compared to "probably".

it very well may

Emphasizes the possibility with the addition of "very well", adding slight emphasis to the likelihood.

chances are

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey likelihood, offering a more casual alternative to "probably".

one would think

Introduces a sense of reasoning or expectation, differing from the direct probability expressed by "probably".

it could be

Indicates a possibility rather than a probability, presenting a weaker assertion than "probably".

it may be

Similar to "it could be", this phrase suggests a potential outcome, conveying less confidence than "probably".

FAQs

How can I use "it probably" in a sentence?

Use "it probably" to express a high degree of likelihood, but without absolute certainty. For instance, "It probably will rain later, so bring an umbrella."

What are some alternatives to "it probably"?

You can use alternatives like "it is likely", "it is probable", or "chances are" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "it probably will" or "it will probably"?

Both "it probably will" and "it will probably" are grammatically correct, but the placement of "probably" can subtly shift the emphasis. "It probably will" emphasizes the likelihood, while "it will probably" emphasizes the future action.

What's the difference between "it probably is" and "it might be"?

"It probably is" indicates a higher degree of certainty than "it might be". "It might be" suggests a possibility, while "it probably is" suggests a likelihood based on some evidence or reasoning.