that is probably why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that is probably why' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to provide a logical explanation for the preceding statement. For example: It's raining outside; that is probably why I haven't heard from my friend yet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To a great extent that is probably why her range has had such an appeal.

BBC

Nguyen figures that is probably why a friend's boat went down in January, and the friend had to be plucked from the sea.

Los Angeles Times

So that is probably why you do not know him.

Stanford University

That is probably why a regulator shouldn't set prices".

The Guardian

That is probably why it does so in the UK.

The Guardian - Opinion

That is probably why I wrote those happy songs.

The New York Times - Magazine

That is probably why there are so many distinguish graduates in Berkeley.

University of California, Berkeley

That is probably why Colonel Chavez has carefully moderated his tone in recent months.

The Economist

That is probably why in the early days I wasn't quite ready.

Independent

That is probably why the Colts haven't gotten rid of Caldwell yet.

The New York Times

That is probably why Isaac is still happy to bring friends home after college.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse in a single piece of writing. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing the cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Ensure the preceding statement genuinely provides a cause or reason that makes the "that is probably why" statement logical. Avoid using it when the connection is weak or unclear, as this can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is probably why" functions as a causal connector. It introduces an explanation or inference based on preceding information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to provide a logical explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that is probably why" is a frequently used phrase that serves as a causal connector, introducing a likely explanation for a preceding statement. It's grammatically correct and suitable for a range of contexts, from news articles to academic writing, though more formal alternatives exist. The phrase indicates a reasoned explanation, acknowledging a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI highlights, it effectively links cause and effect, enhancing clarity in writing. Common usage tips include ensuring a clear connection between the statements and varying sentence structure to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's likely the reason

Changes "probably" to "likely" and restructures the sentence slightly. Maintains a similar level of formality.

that's possibly the explanation

Replaces "probably why" with "possibly the explanation", which is subtly more tentative.

that would explain it

Offers a more concise explanation, implying causality rather than directly stating it.

hence the reason

A more formal alternative, using "hence" to indicate consequence.

that accounts for it

Implies that something explains or provides a reason for something else.

that clarifies the situation

Indicates that something makes a situation clearer or easier to understand.

this explains why

More directly states that something clarifies the motivation behind something else.

it follows that

A logical connective indicating a conclusion derived from what precedes it.

consequently

A single-word adverb indicating a result or consequence.

as a result

Indicates that something is caused by a preceding action or event.

FAQs

How can I use "that is probably why" in a sentence?

Use "that is probably why" to introduce an explanation or reason for a previously stated fact or situation. For example, "The store was closed; "that is probably why" there were no customers inside."

What are some alternatives to "that is probably why"?

You can use alternatives like "that's likely the reason", "this explains why", or "hence the reason", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "that is probably why" formal or informal?

"That is probably why" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "hence the reason" may be preferred in highly formal writing.

What is the difference between "that is probably why" and "that is why"?

"That is probably why" suggests a likely but not certain explanation, whereas "that is why" implies a definite and confirmed reason. The inclusion of "probably" adds a degree of uncertainty or speculation.