probably

/ˈprɒbəbli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprɑːbəbli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprä-bə-blē ˈprä(b)-blē/ (ame, mw)

probably — adverb

1. You use probably to say that you think something is true or will happen, but you

1.副詞A2
釋義

You use probably to say that you think something is true or will happen, but you are not completely certain.

例句

Joshua is probably still at work — I can see his car in the car park.

probably after BE: is probably

If you do not eat breakfast, you will probably feel hungry before lunch.

will probably + verb in conditional sentence

同義詞
  • likely

    adjective only; requires 'to' or 'that' (It is likely to rain / It is likely that…), while 'probably' is an adverb that modifies the verb directly.

  • presumably

    more formal; suggests the speaker is reasoning from available evidence rather than just guessing.

  • doubtless

    stronger certainty and more formal; usually used in written English.

反義詞
  • possibly

    suggests a much lower chance (maybe 30%) compared to 'probably' (over 50%).

  • maybe

    more informal and less certain than 'probably'; often used in casual conversation.

文法句型

probably + verb phrase

probably after be

probably before main verb

用法筆記

Probably is a sentence adverb and usually sits in mid-position: after the verb BE (is probably), after the first auxiliary verb (will probably), or directly before the main verb (probably forgot). In informal speech, it may begin a sentence: Probably she's already left.

常見錯誤

❌It is probably that she is right.
✅It is probable that she is right.
💡'Probably' is an adverb and cannot follow 'is' before a 'that' clause. Use the adjective 'probable' instead.
❌I probably will go to the party.
✅I will probably go to the party.
💡In standard English, 'probably' usually comes after 'will', not before it.