we will probably need

USAGE SUMMARY

"we will probably need" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a likelihood of needing something. For example: "We will probably need to buy more supplies for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I think we will probably need to continue to adjust our various liquidity instruments.

The Economist

"We will probably need human embryonic stem cells for a while.

The New York Times - Health

"We will probably need to have multiple repositories," Dr. Macfarlane said.

The New York Times

"This is a start, although we will probably need more evidence to prove Unit 731's involvement".

The Guardian

"The truth is that Britain needed workers from other EU states when economic times were good, and we will probably need to attract them again," Mandelson said.

The Guardian

We will probably need 28 to 29 members of the squad and what we are trying to do is put a picture together like a jigsaw.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We'll probably need a mixture of these approaches to figure out what works.

The New York Times

"We've accumulated good points but we'll probably need the same number again to qualify.

The Guardian - Sport

If we want more teachers, we'll probably need to try something financially drastic.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I think we'll probably need eight years for Manhattan," he said during an interview yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

In the short run, we'll probably need more stimulus to get the economy moving again so people have the confidence to buy and invest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we will probably need" to express a calculated expectation of needing something, balancing certainty and possibility. It is suitable for forward-looking statements in reports, project planning, and general communication where anticipating future requirements is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "we will probably need" when a higher degree of certainty exists. If the need is confirmed, opt for "we will need" to avoid undermining your assertion with unnecessary hedging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we will probably need" functions as a modal expression of future necessity or requirement. It combines the future tense auxiliary verb will with the adverb probably to indicate a likelihood, and the verb need to express a requirement. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase accurately conveys anticipation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we will probably need" is a versatile phrase used to express an anticipated future requirement, according to Ludwig. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, especially news, media, and business communications. While grammatically sound, as Ludwig AI confirms, it is crucial to ensure that its level of certainty matches the context, avoiding understatement when a necessity is confirmed. Alternatives like ""we are likely to require"" or ""it is probable that we will need"" offer varied tones suitable for different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we're likely to require

Replaces "probably" with "likely", and "need" with "require", resulting in a more formal tone.

it's probable that we'll need

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the probability, adding a degree of separation.

we may very well need

Replaces "probably" with "very well", which intensifies the sense of likelihood, maintaining the original sentence structure.

we might find it necessary to have

Shifts the focus to the necessity, implying a need that could arise, and changes the verb to "have".

chances are we will need

Introduces a colloquial element, using "chances are" to convey probability, which shifts the tone to a more informal level.

it is anticipated that we will need

Adopts a formal tone by using "anticipated", which implies a prediction based on prior knowledge or expectations.

we should anticipate needing

Emphasizes planning by using "anticipate needing", rather than a prediction, but maintains formality.

we can expect to need

Focuses on expectation, changing the nuance from probability to something predictable, though slightly less direct.

we will in all likelihood need

Adds emphasis with "in all likelihood", increasing the formality of the phrase.

we're predicting we'll need

Changes the emphasis to the act of prediction, adding a more casual tone and changing the verb from "probably" to "predicting".

FAQs

How can I use "we will probably need" in a sentence?

You can use "we will probably need" to express an expectation or anticipation of needing something in the future. For example, "We will probably need to order more supplies next week".

What phrases are similar to "we will probably need"?

Similar phrases include "we are likely to require", "it is probable that we will need", or "chances are we will need". Each carries a slightly different nuance of expectation or probability.

Is it better to say "we will likely need" or "we will probably need"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and express a similar level of expectation. "We will likely need" and "we will probably need" are often interchangeable, but "likely" can sometimes suggest a slightly stronger expectation than "probably".

Can "we will probably need" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "we will probably need" is suitable for formal writing, although in very formal contexts, phrases like "it is anticipated that we will need" or "we should anticipate needing" might be preferred for a more sophisticated tone.