most probably not

USAGE SUMMARY

"most probably not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a lack of certainty in a negative statement. For example: "Will there be snow tomorrow? Most probably not."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or most probably not.

The Guardian - Music

Most probably, not very much.

The Guardian - Opinion

Except they're most probably not on something.

The Guardian

Not having seen Sofia dressed in that way, and most probably not sure how to react, their eyes darted away.

Stanford University

"This watch is a fun watch, and a conversation piece, but most probably not for boardroom meetings".

The New York Times

Although these vaccines are highly active, they will most probably not result in sterilizing immunity and, therefore, will not solve the global problem of latent TB.

Trends in Microbiology

And while the collector has yet to give details of her Barcelona proposal, it would "most probably not simply be a unilateral gesture of generosity," Mr. Monegal said.

The New York Times - Arts

Families said they were told their loved ones would have died extremely quickly after the explosion and would most probably not have known what was happening.

Independent

This is most probably not a result of more sexual violence taking place in Sweden, legal experts said, but a result of more crimes being reported.

The New York Times

The strategies that work for me will most probably not work for you.

Forbes

Hence the PVI may prevent unnecessary and potentially damaging fluid overload as low PVI values mean that the patient is most probably not going to respond to fluids.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most probably not" when you want to express a considered judgment that something is unlikely, but without ruling out the possibility entirely. It's stronger than "probably not" but softer than "certainly not".

Common error

Avoid using "most probably not" in very casual conversations. In such settings, simpler alternatives like "probably not" or "unlikely" are often more appropriate and sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most probably not" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing a qualified negation or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI explains, it communicates a likely negative outcome without absolute certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most probably not" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express a qualified negation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to communicate a likely negative outcome without complete certainty. Its usage is quite common, especially in scientific and news contexts, where a degree of measured uncertainty is often required. While it is generally considered acceptable, it might sound slightly formal in very casual conversations. Related phrases include "most likely not" and "very unlikely". Therefore, when writing, consider the context and audience to determine if "most probably not" is the most appropriate choice or if a simpler alternative would be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most likely not

Changes the adverb "probably" to "likely", offering a very similar level of probability.

very unlikely

Replaces the adverbial phrase with an adjective expressing low probability.

probably not

Removes "most", slightly decreasing the emphasis on the probability.

almost certainly not

Strengthens the probability to near certainty in the negative.

highly unlikely

Similar to "very unlikely", but with a slightly more formal tone.

doubtful

A shorter, more direct way to express uncertainty or disbelief.

improbable

A more formal synonym for unlikely, indicating a low probability.

not expected

Shifts the focus from probability to expectation.

not anticipated

Similar to "not expected", but perhaps implying a lack of planning or foresight.

scarcely possible

Emphasizes the difficulty or near impossibility of something happening.

FAQs

How can I use "most probably not" in a sentence?

"Most probably not" is used to express a strong inclination that something will not happen or is not true. For example: "Will it rain tomorrow? Most probably not."

What's a good alternative to "most probably not"?

Alternatives include "most likely not", "very unlikely", or "almost certainly not" depending on the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Is "most probably not" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "most probably not" can sound somewhat formal in very casual settings. Consider using "probably not" or "unlikely" for a more relaxed tone.

What is the difference between "probably not" and "most probably not"?

Adding "most" to "probably not" increases the emphasis, suggesting a stronger belief that something will not occur. However, the difference in meaning is subtle.