was most probably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was most probably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a high degree of likelihood or assumption about a past event or situation. Example: "The meeting was most probably scheduled for last Friday, but I didn't receive the invitation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was, most probably, supervised by James McMahon.

Cornell University

"Well … I think it was most probably the happy endorphins".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This effect was most probably due to the control of nematode abundance.

Pedosphere

The non-first order breakage was most probably caused by the heterogeneity of the material.

International Journal of Mineral Processing

The point of ignition was most probably between the first and second bags.

The New York Times

His insurer, together with Browder, argued Perepilichnyy was most probably murdered.

The Guardian

Scientists from Munich University confirmed that it was most probably authentic.

The Guardian

"This was most probably done by the ancient embalmers," Dr. Zink said.

The New York Times - Science

And if that's not fast enough, there was most probably nothing anyone could have done anyway".

The Guardian - Travel

The researchers concluded that Eston's father was most probably Jefferson himself.

The New York Times

Meltwater pulse 1A, along with pulses 1B, 1C, and 1D, was, most probably, the result of ice-sheet collapse.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was most probably" to express a well-supported assumption or a high degree of likelihood based on available evidence. Ensure the context supports the level of certainty implied by the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "was most probably" when the evidence is weak or speculative. Overusing the phrase can weaken your argument and make your writing seem less credible. Consider alternatives like "might have been" or "could have been" when expressing less certain possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was most probably" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating a high degree of likelihood or probability regarding the action or state expressed by the verb. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was most probably" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a strong likelihood or assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various domains, including science, news, and academia. When using "was most probably", ensure the context aligns with the level of certainty you intend to convey. Be mindful of overstating claims without sufficient evidence and consider alternative phrasings for less certain scenarios. The phrase's neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for professional and academic contexts. Common alternatives include "was very likely" and "was almost certainly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was very likely

Expresses a strong probability, similar to the original phrase, but uses different wording for emphasis.

very likely was

Changes the word order for a slightly different emphasis, while maintaining a similar meaning.

was highly probable

Uses more formal language to indicate a high degree of probability.

was almost certainly

Indicates a very strong belief in the likelihood of something.

in all probability was

Rephrases the sentence to use "in all probability" for conveying likelihood.

was in all likelihood

Emphasizes the likelihood based on the available evidence or circumstances.

it is highly likely that

Transforms the phrase into a full clause expressing strong probability.

was presumptively

Suggests that something is assumed to be true unless proven otherwise, adding a legal or formal tone.

it is reasonable to assume

Shifts the focus to the reasonableness of the assumption, implying a high probability.

it can be safely assumed

Highlights the safety or confidence in making the assumption, suggesting a high degree of likelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "was most probably" in a sentence?

Use "was most probably" to indicate a strong likelihood or reasonable assumption about a past event or situation. For instance, "The delay "was most probably" due to the heavy traffic" suggests a high degree of certainty about the cause of the delay.

What are some alternatives to "was most probably"?

Alternatives include "was very likely", "was highly probable", or "was almost certainly". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "most probably was" instead of "was most probably"?

While grammatically understandable, "was most probably" is the more standard and natural phrasing. Using "most probably was" might sound awkward in most contexts. "Was most probably" is preferable for clarity and fluency.

What's the difference between "was probably" and "was most probably"?

"Was probably" indicates a general likelihood, while "was most probably" suggests a higher degree of certainty or a stronger basis for the assumption. The addition of "most" emphasizes the strength of the probability. Consider "was most probably" when you want to convey a well-supported assumption.