probably we can

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "probably we can" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting a possibility or likelihood of being able to do something. Example: "If the weather permits, probably we can go for a hike this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And probably we can do more research work," says Huang.

MIT Technology Review

Probably we can never get there and study it directly, but we know they are the big factories of building bigger and bigger atomic nuclei.

Cornell University

These two points above I guess can be generalized into a statement about Hollywood's war movie efforts – they fail to resonate emotionally or cognitively in us until probably we can take such strong feelings for granted.

University of California, Berkeley

Now imaging 10 years after, what if Siri could talk to you as naturally as your classmates could in TUI? Then probably we can push McCullough's argument even further, by arguing that the computer is inherently a mimic system of human mind, built in the way that could logically think and communicate with its users, which are us, human beings.

University of California, Berkeley

From a business perspective, what I discovered coming out of it was, if a sporting event of this sophistication is partnering with us and we are able to meet the demands of this demanding customer at an event, that says that probably we can do it for anybody in the world.

The New York Times - Sports

Probably we can get rid of the energy credits.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I think there's probably more we can do to help them to understand.

The New Yorker

That is probably all we can conclude from the case of the Pussy Boat.

The Guardian - Arts

"This will be ongoing for a number of years probably, until we can successfully declare eradication".

BBC

But there is probably nothing we can do in time to save the North Pole.

Huffington Post

As the grounds are probably implicit, we can use group discussions to make them explicit.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "probably we can" when you want to express a cautious optimism about an action or outcome. It suggests a higher likelihood than "maybe" but less certainty than "definitely".

Common error

Avoid using "probably we can" when the situation requires a firm commitment or guarantee. In such contexts, phrases like "we will" or "we are committed to" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probably we can" functions as a modal phrase expressing possibility or likelihood. As seen in Ludwig, it's used to suggest a potential action or outcome, without guaranteeing it. It combines the adverb "probably" with the modal verb "can" to temper a statement of ability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probably we can" is a grammatically correct modal phrase used to express a moderate degree of possibility or likelihood. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions to convey a qualified affirmation, suggesting a potential action or outcome. Though grammatically sound, the phrase is less common than alternatives like "we can probably", but is frequently found in news, academic and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of certainty aligns with the situation, and consider whether a more direct or a more cautious expression is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can likely

Reorders the words and replaces "probably" with "likely" resulting in similar meaning and emphasis.

it's probable that we can

Adds a degree of formality and explicitness by introducing "it's probable that".

we might be able to

Uses "might" instead of "probably" to convey a slightly weaker possibility.

we could potentially

Replaces "probably" with "potentially" adding a nuance of uncertainty and capability.

chances are we can

Emphasizes the probabilistic aspect using a more colloquial expression.

it is likely we are able to

Introduces formal tone with a slightly complex sentence structure.

we stand a good chance of being able to

Expresses the possibility with a more elaborate and positive outlook.

there's a good possibility we can

Phrases the possibility in terms of a "good possibility".

we have a reasonable expectation of being able to

Introduces a sense of reasoned anticipation of capability.

we are reasonably confident that we can

Highlights confidence level while maintaining a reasonable expectation of achievement.

FAQs

How do I use "probably we can" in a sentence?

Use "probably we can" to indicate a reasonable but not definite possibility of achieving something. For example, "If we start early, "probably we can" finish the project by Friday".

What are some alternatives to "probably we can"?

Alternatives include "we can likely", "we might be able to", or "it's probable that we can" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "probably we can" or "we can probably"?

While both are grammatically correct, "we can probably" is more common and flows more naturally in English. "Probably we can" can sound slightly stilted, but emphasizes the uncertainty.

What's the difference between "probably we can" and "possibly we can"?

"Probably we can" suggests a higher likelihood than "possibly we can". "Probably" indicates a good chance, while "possibly" indicates a mere chance.