will probably

USAGE SUMMARY

"will probably" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an expectation of something happening or being the case in the future. For example, "She will probably arrive early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will probably happen again.

The New Yorker

This will probably succeed.

The Economist

They will probably refuse.

The Economist

More will probably follow.

The Economist

Issuance will probably fall.

The Economist

Matters will probably get worse.

The Economist

He will probably need them.

The Economist

He will probably be heard.

The New York Times

You will probably not watch.

The New York Times

And more will probably follow.

The Economist

Others will probably follow suit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will probably" to express a reasonable expectation about future events without asserting absolute certainty. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While acceptable, relying too heavily on "will probably" can make your writing sound less confident. Vary your language with stronger expressions like "is expected to" or "is likely to" to enhance the impact of your statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will probably" functions as an adverbial modifier expressing a degree of certainty about a future event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. Examples show its application in diverse scenarios, from weather forecasts to political predictions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "will probably" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express a likely outcome in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for general writing. When aiming for more certainty or formality, consider alternatives like "is expected to" or "almost certainly will". While "will probably" is widely accepted, varying your language can enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most likely will

A straightforward synonym, "most likely will" maintains a similar level of certainty.

likely to happen

This phrase replaces "will probably" with a more formal structure, emphasizing the likelihood of an event.

is expected to

This suggests a forecast or anticipation, indicating a slightly stronger expectation than "will probably".

almost certainly will

This alternative amplifies the certainty, suggesting a very high probability.

in all likelihood

This phrase offers a more descriptive and literary alternative to "will probably", implying a high degree of probability.

it is anticipated that

This option is more formal, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

chances are it will

This phrase uses a colloquial tone to indicate a likely outcome.

one can expect that

This phrase introduces a sense of expectation based on current conditions or trends.

it's quite possible

This softens the certainty, suggesting that something is reasonably likely but not guaranteed.

it is foreseeable that

This suggests that an event is predictable based on existing knowledge or circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "will probably" to express a degree of certainty about a future event. For example, "It "will probably" rain tomorrow" indicates that rain is expected but not guaranteed.

What are some alternatives to "will probably"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "likely to happen", "is expected to", or "almost certainly will" to vary your language and convey different levels of certainty.

Is "will likely" or "will probably" more correct?

Both "will likely" and "will probably" are grammatically correct, but ""will probably"" is generally considered more standard and versatile in usage. "Will likely" can sometimes sound slightly awkward or less formal.

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

"Will probably" suggests a high likelihood but acknowledges some uncertainty, while "definitely will" indicates absolute certainty. Use "definitely will" when you are completely sure about an outcome.