really probably

USAGE SUMMARY

"really probably" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is likely to happen but with some degree of skepticism or doubt. For example: "I really probably won't get the promotion this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

I really probably should".

The New York Times

"That's really probably the best thing that can happen".

The New York Times - Sports

Let me go to the other part, which is really probably the most concrete part.

Yale University

I think he really probably does want to be a better person".

The New York Times

"So I struggled for 15 years and I really probably shouldn't have," he says.

The Guardian - Film

So having a bad supervisor really probably started me thinking about what I would want to be as a supervisor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

In terms of really smoking probably 13 or 14.

The Guardian - Music

I thought they played really well, probably the best we've played this season".

Independent

"Really, they probably don't belong in the hobby," Dr. Rhyne said.

The New York Times

But they turned me down, and, really, it probably wasn't that good an idea.

The New Yorker

she had expected to die so soon, or that she really minded". Probably not.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really probably" to emphasize a likelihood, but be aware of the slightly informal tone, especially in formal writing. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "very likely" or "most likely" in such contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "really probably" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "highly probable" or "almost certainly" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really probably" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the likelihood of an event or statement. It is used to express a strong degree of probability, as confirmed by Ludwig, yet with a subtle caveat of doubt or informality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

17%

Huffington Post

13%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really probably" is a grammatically acceptable phrase used to express a strong degree of likelihood, although it carries a slightly informal tone. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. While it is common across various contexts, it's most frequently found in News & Media, as Ludwig analysis shows. When writing, be mindful of the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives like "very likely" in academic or professional settings. "Really probably" serves to soften statements, but using it excessively, especially in formal documents, can undermine the credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very likely

Indicates a strong possibility, similar to "really probably" but slightly more formal.

most likely

Suggests the highest probability among several possibilities, similar to "really probably" in conveying likelihood.

almost certainly

Implies a very high degree of certainty, stronger than "really probably".

quite likely

Indicates a considerable chance, comparable to "really probably" but with a slightly lower emphasis.

highly probable

A more formal way of saying something is very likely, similar to "really probably" but less colloquial.

in all likelihood

Suggests that something is expected to happen, similar in strength to "really probably".

very possibly

Emphasizes the possibility of something happening, conveying a similar level of uncertainty as "really probably".

presumably

Indicates that something is likely based on what is known, with an assumption of truth.

I expect

Expresses a personal belief that something is likely to happen, conveying a subjective assessment.

it seems likely

Indicates that evidence suggests something is probable, similar to "really probably" in conveying likelihood based on observation.

FAQs

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

You can use "really probably" to express a strong likelihood with a hint of uncertainty. For example, "I'm really probably going to the party tonight" or "That's "really probably the best thing" that could happen".

What phrases are similar to "really probably"?

Alternatives to "really probably" include "very likely", "most likely", or "almost certainly", depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "really probably"?

Yes, "really probably" is grammatically correct, though it's considered somewhat informal. It's best used in casual conversation or writing rather than in formal academic or professional contexts.

When should I avoid using "really probably"?

Avoid using "really probably" in formal settings like academic papers, business reports, or legal documents. In these cases, opt for more formal alternatives such as "highly probable" or "very likely".