reasonably probable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably probable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that something is likely to happen or be true, but with a degree of caution or uncertainty. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it is reasonably probable that the defendant was at the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In the panel decision in June, the two judges in the majority said that "we do not find it reasonably probable that the outcome of Slaughter's sentencing would have been different if Radolovich had unearthed" the additional information.

The New York Times

Does the obligation to tell the whole truth mean that all possible, all probable, all reasonably probable, all highly probable, or only the most probable alternatives must be given in response to a question?

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

In his majority opinion, Justice Stephen Breyer called the case "factually complex," but in the end, the Court determined, "It is not reasonably probable that the withheld evidence could have led to a different result at trial".

Vice

"It is reasonably probable that but for the errors and omissions of his lawyers the jury would have returned a verdict to impose a sentence of life imprisonment without parole rather than a sentence of death," Holmes wrote.

Vice

It is therefore reasonably probable, in the context of this study, that even in the "less resilient" case (no ability of corals to adapt to higher temperatures, high Ωa sensitivity), areas of viable coral cover will persist on deeper forereefs or in areas where upwelling of cooler water is occurring.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As there is a high degree of functional conservation in homologous organisms, gene function can be reasonably inferred through probable genetic orthologues (Ashburner et al. 2000).

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

Based on mechanistic data, IARC and NTP upgraded ethylene oxide (IARC 1994; NTP 2004) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo7; NTP 2004) from "probable" or "reasonably anticipated" human carcinogens to "known human carcinogens".

Environmental Health Perspectives

In conjunction with the epidemiology data, the conclusion that inhaled formaldehyde can raise endogenous levels with deleterious consequences to the hematopoietic system played a role in the decisions by both IARC and NTP to elevate formaldehyde from a probable or reasonably anticipated carcinogen to a known human carcinogen.

Critical Reviews in Toxicology

That leaves probable reasoning.

SEP

There are several probable reasons.

WikiHow

The objects to be insured must be numerous enough and homogeneous enough to allow a reasonably close calculation of the probable frequency and severity of losses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reasonably probable" when you want to express a cautious yet affirmative assessment of likelihood, avoiding overly strong or definitive statements.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably probable" when the evidence overwhelmingly supports a definite conclusion; opt for stronger terms like "certain" or "definite" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably probable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a qualified degree of likelihood. It tempers the assertion of probability, suggesting a level of certainty that is above mere possibility but below absolute certainty. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, showing examples where it is used to qualify outcomes or possibilities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonably probable" is used to express a qualified assessment of likelihood, suggesting something is more than just possible, but not definitively certain. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and most often appears in News & Media and Scientific contexts. It's important to use "reasonably probable" when you want to convey a degree of confidence without overstating the certainty of an outcome. While not extremely common, understanding its nuanced meaning can enhance the precision and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite likely

This alternative indicates a similar level of likelihood but with a simpler construction.

fairly likely

This alternative suggests a slightly lower degree of certainty compared to "reasonably probable".

somewhat probable

This phrase conveys a slightly weaker sense of probability.

more than possible

This phrase indicates a higher degree of likelihood compared to simply being possible.

plausibly likely

This alternative emphasizes the believability of the event or outcome.

potentially likely

This alternative highlights the potential for something to be likely, without committing to a strong probability.

credibly possible

This phrase suggests that something is believable and within the realm of possibility.

likely to a degree

This alternative specifies there's a degree of likelihood, but it might not be high.

within the bounds of possibility

This longer phrase broadens the scope, indicating that something fits within what could happen.

conceivably possible

This alternative emphasizes the idea that it's possible to imagine the occurrence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonably probable" in a sentence?

You can use "reasonably probable" to suggest that something is likely, but not certain. For example, "It is reasonably probable that the project will be completed on time."

What phrases are similar to "reasonably probable"?

Alternatives include "fairly likely", "quite likely", or "somewhat probable" depending on the context.

Is "reasonably probable" the same as "probable"?

No, "reasonably probable" implies a degree of caution or qualification. It suggests something is more than just possible, but not definitively proven or certain as "probable" might suggest.

When should I avoid using "reasonably probable"?

Avoid using "reasonably probable" if the situation requires expressing absolute certainty or impossibility. In those cases, use terms like "certain", "impossible", or "highly unlikely" instead.