it was probable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was probable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing likelihood or chances of an event occurring in the past. Example: "Given the circumstances, it was probable that the meeting would be postponed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But industry analysts said it was probable that others would follow the company's lead.

The New York Times

Mitchell agreed it was probable that many more players used steroids or H.G.H. than the roughly 90 he named.

The New York Times - Sports

He said it was probable that reams of wiretaps of the Nation of Islam had never been combed for clues.

The New York Times

His remarks went further than Farage's own judgment last Summer when he said it was probable that Assad had deployed the weapons.

The Guardian

Mrs Neumark said it was probable her granddaughter's passport had been stolen in March when her car, full of belongings, was stolen from an address in London.

The Guardian

Mr. Ahearn said it was probable that a Chinese utility would ultimately own and run the 16,000-acre solar power plant.

The New York Times

Officials said at the time that it was probable that the man had approached her because of her relationship with the mayor.

The New York Times

While the sovereign debt issue remains on the minds of investors, Mr. Solveen said, it was probable that it would remain subdued for the rest of this year.

The New York Times

An official of a union that represents some of the Newark employees said it was probable that the union would seek to have the employees reinstated.

The New York Times

France's chief of the defense staff, Adm. Édouard Guillaud, told Europe 1 radio Monday morning that it was probable that Abu Zeid had been killed.

The New York Times

But defence officials and experts agreed it was probable they had been separated over the past 13 months, casting significant doubt on the possibility that they were being held together as a group.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was probable", consider adding a clarifying phrase to specify the basis for the probability assessment, such as "it was probable, given the historical data".

Common error

Avoid using "it was probable" when a higher degree of certainty is warranted by the evidence. If the outcome is virtually guaranteed, use stronger language like "it was certain" or "it was inevitable".

Linguistic Context

It was probable" functions as an epistemic phrase, indicating a degree of likelihood or expectation regarding a past event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable in written English, conveying a judgment about the chances of something occurring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was probable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a reasonable expectation or likelihood of a past event. Ludwig AI validates its usability and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While suitable for general use, it's important to consider the context and choose more precise language if a higher degree of certainty or quantification of probability is required. It is also crucial to avoid overstating certainty when using this phrase. Remember that synonyms like "it was likely" and "it was expected" can be useful alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was likely

Replaces "probable" with a more common synonym, indicating a high chance of occurrence.

it was expected

Shifts the focus to anticipation rather than pure probability, implying a degree of predictability.

it was anticipated

Similar to "it was expected" but suggests a more formal or calculated expectation.

it was foreseeable

Highlights the capacity to predict the event, emphasizing the predictability of the outcome.

it was predictable

Similar to "it was foreseeable", focusing on the inherent predictability of the situation.

it was a good bet

Introduces a more informal tone, suggesting a high degree of confidence in the outcome.

it was odds-on

Emphasizes a very high probability, similar to a strong favorite in a betting scenario.

it seemed reasonable

Indicates that the outcome aligned with logical expectations or common sense.

chances were high

Offers a more direct and less formal way to express a high probability.

one could anticipate

Expresses anticipation or expectation in more formal tone, emphasizing a degree of predictability based on the information at hand.

FAQs

How can I use "it was probable" in a sentence?

Use "it was probable" to express that something was likely to happen based on the available evidence or circumstances. For example, "Given the lack of preparation, "it was probable" that the project would fail".

What's a more formal alternative to "it was probable"?

A more formal alternative to "it was probable" is "it was anticipated". This phrasing lends a more sophisticated tone to your writing, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

How does "it was probable" differ from "it was possible"?

"It was probable" suggests a higher likelihood than "it was possible". "Probable" indicates a reasonable expectation, while "possible" simply means something could happen, regardless of how likely it is.

When should I use "it was likely" instead of "it was probable"?

While "it was likely" and "it was probable" are often interchangeable, "it was likely" is generally more common in everyday conversation. "It was probable" can add a slightly more formal or considered tone, especially when assessing situations based on evidence or analysis.