may probably

USAGE SUMMARY

"may probably" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express a degree of uncertainty. For example, "It may probably rain tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Given the modern actor's reluctance to be typecast, we may probably never see his like again.

Independent

Who can tell me what Advent is? Don't necessarily — Muslim, Jew, Christian, whatever, you may — probably know what Advent is.

Yale University

Though the subject of many legends, he may probably be safely regarded as an actual historical figure.

Britannica

Pathogens employ multiple molecular mechanisms of adhesion to initiate infection and effective anti adhesion drugs may probably have to consist of a cocktail of inhibitors.

Molecular Medical Microbiology

This conductance was proven to be another decisive absorber design parameter, improper selection of which may probably lead to strong deterioration of the collector efficiency.

Applied Thermal Engineering

'He may probably be home.'.

Functional Linguistics

This may probably eliminate tearing failure of upright.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering (IJASE)

Gasoline and diesel fuels may probably become limited and costly in the near future.

Petroleum Science

These two pesticides tested may probably have negative effects on the brain of African catfish.

International Aquatic Research

Different metabolic rates may probably account for different levels of drug response.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The altered subcellular localization may probably due to the different systems between plant and animal cells.

Rice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Although acceptable, consider that "may probably" might be perceived as slightly redundant. In certain contexts, using just "may" or "probably" can achieve a more concise and impactful expression.

Common error

Avoid overuse of modal adverbs in close proximity. Too many modal adverbs can make the writing sound hesitant and less confident. Instead of using "may probably", consider rephrasing the sentence to use a single stronger modal or adverb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may probably" functions as an adverbial modifier, softening the assertion of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing probability or likelihood, typically modifying a verb or clause to indicate a degree of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

8%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may probably" functions as an adverbial phrase that expresses a moderate degree of possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially within scientific and academic writing. While sometimes considered slightly redundant, the phrase effectively communicates that an event is more than just possible, but not entirely certain. When writing, consider if the context requires this level of hedging, or if using "may" or "probably" alone would suffice. Alternatives such as "likely to happen" or "is expected to" can offer more concise ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could very well

Emphasizes the potential for a specific outcome.

likely to happen

Replaces the modal verb construction with a direct statement of likelihood.

is expected to

Shifts the focus to expectation or prediction.

is inclined to

Indicates a tendency or predisposition.

might reasonably

Adds a layer of justification or rationale to the possibility.

is plausibly

Highlights the believability or credibility of an event.

conceivably could

Highlights the possibility of a certain event, even if it's not highly probable.

will foreseeably

Suggests that an event is predictable based on current knowledge.

is liable to

Implies a legal or expected consequence.

should predictably

Combines expectation with an element of predictability.

FAQs

What does "may probably" mean?

The phrase "may probably" indicates a moderate degree of possibility or likelihood. It suggests something is more than just possible but not a certainty. It combines the uncertainty of "may" with the likelihood of "probably".

Is it redundant to use "may probably"?

Some consider "may probably" redundant because "may" and "probably" both express uncertainty. While grammatically correct and frequently used, consider whether using just "may" or just "probably" could create a more concise and impactful sentence.

What are some alternatives to "may probably"?

You can use alternatives like "likely to happen", "is expected to", or "could very well" depending on the context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance in expressing possibility or expectation.

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

You can use "may probably" to express a prediction or possibility that has a reasonable chance of occurring. For example, "Given the current trends, the company may probably expand its operations next year."