probably it works

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "probably it works" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate structure would be "it probably works." You can use it when expressing uncertainty about the functionality or effectiveness of something. Example: "I haven't tested the new software yet, but based on the reviews, it probably works well."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Probably it works out well all around: the young gentlemen get their training in elegant danger, the school gains prestige and a reputation for toniness, and even the masters pick up a little pin money taking care of the horse.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's an ancient global pattern probably because it works.

The New York Times

The tart is daring, not outrageous, which is probably why it works.

The New York Times - Food

Yes, it's cheesy and who knows, that's probably why it works.

TechCrunch

Probably because it works.

Huffington Post

So this is how it currently works and probably it will work if we succeed to create this collaboration model and operate it and, on a sustainable basis".

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

So that is probably the way it works.

BMC Health Services Research

Probably it will work for you, but it's not perfect yet.

Huffington Post

If you believe it works, it probably does.

The New York Times

We have inferred how it probably works and how it is populated.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

"Bobby does it a lot and it probably works for his club," Girardi said, referring to the career leader in ejections, Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always prioritize standard English grammar by placing adverbs like "probably" before the verb. Instead of saying "probably it works", opt for "it probably works" for clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid placing adverbs of probability (like "probably", "likely", "certainly") at the beginning of a sentence when they modify the verb. This can lead to awkward phrasing and grammatical errors. Instead, place the adverb before the main verb: "It probably works" is correct; "Probably it works" is not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probably it works" functions as an expression of likelihood, though it deviates from standard grammatical structure. As Ludwig AI points out, the typical word order is "it probably works". While some instances show variations, the core intention is to convey a degree of certainty or expectation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "probably it works" is an unconventional expression intended to convey a degree of likelihood or expectation. As Ludwig AI clarifies, standard English grammar dictates that the adverb "probably" should precede the verb, making "it probably works" the grammatically correct alternative. Despite its presence in diverse sources such as news articles and blogs, its incorrect structure impacts its overall quality and should be avoided in formal writing. Instead, prioritizing grammatically sound alternatives such as "it likely works" or "it seems to work" is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it likely works

Reorders the phrase for standard English grammar, placing "likely" in its more common adverbial position.

it probably will work

Adds the auxiliary verb "will" for grammatical correctness, clarifying the future tense.

it most likely works

Substitutes "probably" with "most likely" for emphasis and slightly more formal tone.

it seems to work

Replaces the adverb with a verb phrase to indicate an impression or observation.

it appears to be working

Uses a continuous aspect to describe the current state of something functioning.

it might work

Employs "might" to express possibility, offering a more tentative tone.

it could work

Similar to "might work", but suggests a potential capability or opportunity.

it may work

Replaces "probably" with "may" for a slightly more formal expression of possibility.

chances are it works

Introduces a phrase indicating a high likelihood or probability.

it is expected to work

Formalizes the expression, suggesting an anticipation or expectation of functionality.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "probably it works"?

The grammatically correct way to express the idea is to say "it probably works". Adverbs like "probably" typically precede the main verb in a sentence.

Are there alternatives to "probably it works"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "it likely works", "it seems to work", or "it may work" to convey a similar meaning with better grammatical structure.

Why is "probably it works" considered grammatically incorrect?

In standard English, adverbs of probability are generally placed before the verb they modify. Saying "probably it works" deviates from this structure, making "it probably works" the preferred construction.

When can I use "it probably works" in a sentence?

Use "it probably works" when you want to express that something is likely to function or be effective, but you are not completely certain. For example, "I haven't tested the new software, but it probably works well based on the reviews."