would probably not

USAGE SUMMARY

'would probably not' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the likelihood that something will not happen. For example, "I would probably not be able to attend the meeting next week due to a prior engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But that would probably not prevent bankruptcy.

The Economist

You would probably not mention it.

The New Yorker

King would probably not have objected.

The Economist

The neighbours would probably not object.

The Economist

This would probably not help much.

The Economist

Warner would probably not argue.

The New York Times - Sports

They would probably not return.

The Guardian - Travel

This would probably not contain radioactive iodine.

The New York Times - Science

Books would probably not top the list.

The New York Times

Posada would probably not bat second.

The New York Times - Sports

A monthly check would probably not.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would probably not" to express a qualified negative prediction or possibility. This phrase is suitable when you want to indicate that something is unlikely but not impossible.

Common error

While "would probably not" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant. In formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "is unlikely to" or "is not expected to" to convey more authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would probably not" functions as a modal construction used to express a low degree of certainty or possibility. It combines the modal verb "would" with the adverb "probably" to soften a negative prediction. Ludwig examples show it's used across varied contexts to denote something as unlikely but not impossible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would probably not" is a versatile phrase used to express a low degree of certainty or possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. It combines the modal verb "would" with the adverb "probably" to soften a negative prediction, making it suitable for various contexts, especially in news and scientific writing. When aiming for stronger assertions, consider alternatives like "is unlikely to" or "is not expected to". Remember that mastering such nuances will improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not

Uses a different modal verb to express a similar degree of uncertainty.

may not

Similar to "might not", indicating a possibility but not a certainty.

is unlikely to

Replaces "would probably not" with a more direct expression of low likelihood, focusing on the subject's inclination or the circumstances.

is not very likely to

Adds emphasis to the low probability of something happening.

is not expected to

Shifts the focus to expectations, suggesting something is not anticipated to happen.

it's improbable that

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the lack of probability.

is doubtful to

Indicates a higher degree of uncertainty and skepticism.

chances are slim that

Emphasizes the small likelihood of something occurring, using a more figurative expression.

is questionable whether

Introduces an element of doubt, framing the situation as a question.

it is far from certain that

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of guarantee.

FAQs

How to use "would probably not" in a sentence?

Use "would probably not" to indicate a low probability of something happening. For example, "He "would probably not" attend the party if he's feeling unwell".

What can I say instead of "would probably not"?

You can use alternatives like "is unlikely to", "is not expected to", or "might not" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "would probably not" or "probably would not"?

"Would probably not" is the more common and grammatically accepted order. "Probably would not" is less conventional but not necessarily incorrect, though it might sound awkward to some.

What's the difference between "would probably not" and "will probably not"?

"Would probably not" often implies a hypothetical or conditional situation, while "will probably not" is a more direct statement about a future event. For example, "He "would probably not" go if it rained" (hypothetical) versus "He "will probably not" go tomorrow" (future event).