which will probably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which will probably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate uncertainty or likelihood regarding a future event or situation. Example: "The project, which will probably take several months to complete, requires careful planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

And which will probably take off.

The New York Times

Tells about Tanaka's trial which will probably be very long.

The New Yorker

We can bomb government buildings, which will probably be empty.

The New York Times

"Which will probably be our main export now".

The Guardian

Which will probably lead to my eventual demise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

tion, which will probably be necessary in a not very long time from now.

Princeton University

Which will probably go down in history as the worst comeback of all time.

Independent

"There's a very long line, which will probably take an hour to get in," he said.

The New York Times

Problem is, he has short arms, which will probably force him to play guard.

The New York Times

Don't even try to use a vegetable peeler, which will probably just break.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then join a startup which will probably fail as most startups do.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which will probably", ensure the clause it introduces is nonrestrictive and adds extra information to the sentence, rather than being essential to its meaning. Use commas to set off the clause.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" when introducing a nonrestrictive clause. "That" is typically used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning. For example, prefer "The decision, which will probably be unpopular, was necessary" over "The decision that will probably be unpopular was necessary."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which will probably" functions as a relative clause, specifically a nonrestrictive (or non-essential) clause. It introduces additional, non-critical information about the noun it modifies. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which will probably" serves as a versatile tool for expressing likelihood and expectation, commonly appearing in nonrestrictive clauses. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and adaptability make it suitable across various contexts from news and academia to general conversation. While alternatives like "that is expected to" offer more formal options, "which will probably" strikes a balance, making it an effective choice for many writing scenarios. Knowing when to use "which" correctly and understanding its subtle nuances can significantly enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that will likely

Replaces "probably" with "likely", indicating a high probability but maintaining a similar tone.

that may well

Emphasizes the possibility of something happening, suggesting it is quite plausible.

that is expected to

Uses a more formal tone to express an expectation about a future outcome.

that is anticipated to

Similar to "expected to", but often used in more formal or official contexts.

that is bound to

Indicates a strong certainty or inevitability.

that is prone to

Suggests a tendency or inclination toward a particular outcome.

that seems set to

Implies that conditions are arranged to cause a specific outcome, suggesting strong likelihood.

that is apt to

Implies a natural tendency or suitability for something to occur.

that is poised to

Suggests that something is in a state of readiness or preparation for a particular outcome.

that figures to

An informal phrase suggesting a logical or predictable outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which will probably" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "that is expected to" or "that is anticipated to", depending on the context. These phrases convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is it always necessary to use a comma before "which will probably"?

Yes, a comma is generally required before "which will probably" when it introduces a nonrestrictive clause (a clause that adds extra information but is not essential to the sentence's main meaning). Without the comma, the sentence may become grammatically incorrect or confusing.

What's the difference between "which will probably" and "that will definitely"?

"Which will probably" indicates a likelihood or possibility, whereas "that will definitely" expresses certainty. Use "which will probably" when you want to show uncertainty, and "that will definitely" when you are sure about the outcome.

Can I use "which will likely" instead of "which will probably"?

Yes, "which will likely" is a suitable alternative. The two phrases are nearly synonymous and can often be used interchangeably to express a high degree of probability.