probably

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "probably" is correct and commonly used in written English to express something that is likely, but not certain, to be true.
For example, "I probably won't make it the party tonight" expresses the idea that it is likely, but not certain, that the speaker will not make it to the party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is probably true.

The New York Times

They were probably right).

The New York Times - Sports

But during the Games I got the terrible news that my uncle had died, probably from Ebola.

The Guardian

He is probably right.

The New York Times

Probably not a good idea".

The Guardian - Film

But he added: "Sometimes parts of the Conservative party move but they move more slowly, or a few paces behind the centre of gravity of social attitudes which have changed and will probably continue to change in ways that it is hard to predict.

The Guardian

He's probably in the best moment of his career.

The Guardian - Sport

"In my normal way, I probably would have said, 'I'll look into it.' " Costa said Obeid began to lobby him about AWH within a month of him becoming a minister and he had a conversation with Obeid in which Obeid suggested a corruption complaint may be made against Schott.

The Guardian

Some of the damage, he says, is "probably permanent".

The Guardian

"That's probably what happened".

The Guardian

Alas, probably not.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing in formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "most likely" if the probability is high, or more cautious terms like "possibly" if the likelihood is lower.

Common error

Avoid using "probably" excessively in a single piece of writing, as it can make your arguments sound weak or hesitant. Vary your language by using other adverbs of probability or hedging techniques.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "probably" functions as a qualifier, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate a degree of likelihood or possibility. It softens claims and conveys uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probably" is a very common adverb used to express likelihood or possibility. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in news and media, its function is to qualify statements, adding a layer of uncertainty and nuance. While there are various alternative expressions, such as "likely" or "perhaps", the choice depends on the specific context and desired degree of certainty. It's crucial to avoid overusing "probably" to maintain clarity and strength in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely

Indicates a high degree of possibility, similar to "probably" but can sometimes imply a stronger conviction.

most likely

A stronger expression than "probably", indicating a very high degree of likelihood.

in all likelihood

A more formal way of saying "probably", emphasizing the high probability of something happening.

perhaps

Suggests a possibility, but often with a lower degree of certainty than "probably".

presumably

Suggests that something is likely based on what is known or assumed.

maybe

Similar to "perhaps", indicating a possibility but with less certainty than "probably".

possibly

Indicates that something could happen, but without specifying how likely it is.

doubtless

Implies near certainty, a stronger affirmation than "probably".

as likely as not

Suggests that the event is equally probable to happen or not, implying uncertainty.

perchance

An archaic or literary term for "perhaps", suggesting a possibility in a more whimsical way.

FAQs

How to use "probably" in a sentence?

Use "probably" to indicate something that is likely but not certain. For example, "It will "probably rain" tomorrow", suggests a likelihood of rain.

What can I say instead of "probably"?

You can use alternatives like "likely", "perhaps", or "possibly" depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Which is correct, "probably will" or "will probably"?

"Will probably" is generally preferred and more common in modern English. For example: "I "will probably go"".

What's the difference between "probably" and "definitely"?

"Probably" indicates a likelihood or possibility, while "definitely" implies certainty. "I will "probably attend"" means it's likely I'll attend, but "I will "definitely attend"" means I am certain to attend.