probably so

USAGE SUMMARY

"probably so" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are uncertain but think it's likely that something is true, or when you are expressing agreement with someone. Example: "Do you think I should go to the meeting tomorrow?" "Probably so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Probably so.

The New York Times

"Probably so," Manuel said.

The New York Times - Sports

I think probably so.

The Guardian - Opinion

From a results perspective, probably so.

The New Yorker

Probably so," Mr. Jacobson said.

The New York Times

"Yeah, probably so," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Probably so," he said quietly.

The New York Times - Sports

"His life is probably so boring".

The New York Times - Style

He was probably so near the end that he wouldn't know me anyway.

The New York Times

Probably so," said Gen. Sir David Richards, the chief of Britain's defense staff.

The New York Times

Internet betting on sports is unambiguously illegal and betting on card games probably so.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "probably so" when you want to express agreement or acceptance while acknowledging a degree of uncertainty. It's suitable for situations where absolute certainty isn't possible or necessary.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse of "probably so" in highly formal writing. Opt for more definitive or nuanced expressions of probability to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probably so" functions as an adverbial phrase or a short affirmative response. It expresses agreement or acceptance with a degree of uncertainty. This is consistent with Ludwig and its examples, where it's often used as a concise way to acknowledge a possibility or likelihood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probably so" is a versatile phrase used to express agreement or acceptance with a degree of uncertainty. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase or a short affirmative response, commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. While grammatically correct, its neutral-to-informal register means it may not be suitable for all situations. When greater formality is needed, alternatives like "it seems likely" may be more appropriate. The abundance of examples available on Ludwig confirms its frequent usage in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely so

This alternative is nearly identical, providing a direct synonym for expressing probability.

maybe so

This alternative suggests a slightly lower degree of certainty than "probably so".

arguably so

This implies that something can be supported by arguments, though not definitively proven.

presumably so

This suggests an assumption based on reasonable evidence, but without absolute certainty.

perhaps so

This expresses a possibility, similar to "maybe so", indicating less confidence.

I suppose so

This indicates reluctant agreement or acceptance, with a hint of doubt.

I guess so

This is similar to "I suppose so", suggesting hesitant agreement or resignation.

it seems likely

This alternative uses a more verbose structure to convey a similar sense of probability.

it would appear so

This phrase is more formal and cautious in expressing agreement or possibility.

I expect so

This suggests an expectation based on past experience or knowledge, but without firm conviction.

FAQs

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

"Probably so" is typically used as a short, affirmative response, indicating agreement or acceptance with a degree of uncertainty. For example, "Do you think it will rain today?" "Probably so."

What are some alternatives to saying "probably so"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "likely so", "maybe so", or "arguably so".

Is "probably so" formal or informal?

"Probably so" leans towards the informal side but is acceptable in neutral contexts. More formal alternatives might be "it seems likely" or "presumably so".

What's the difference between "probably so" and "certainly so"?

"Probably so" implies a degree of uncertainty, while "certainly so" indicates a high level of confidence or assurance. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects your level of certainty.