PROBABLYused to say that something is likely to happen, likely to be true etc 很可能,大概
It will probably take about a week.
很可能需要一星期左右。
This would probably be a good time to take a break.
这很可能会是休息一下的好机会。
It’s probably the best movie I have ever seen.
这大概是我看过的最好的电影。
[sentence adverbadv句子副词]
‘Are you going to be able to do this?’ ‘Yes, probably.’
“你能干这件事吗?”“是的,应该能行。”
‘Is she going to send it back?’ ‘Probably not, no.’
“她会把它送回来吗?”“大概不会吧,不会。”
very/most probably
The building will be replaced, most probably by a modern sports centre.
大楼将拆除重建,很可能被一座现代化的体育中心所取代。
nTHESAURUS
probablyadverbadv used when saying that you think something is true or will happen, although it is not completely definite
He’s probably gone home.
Rod is probably going to study law.
‘Is she lying?’ ‘Probably.’
likelyadjectiveadj probably going to happen or probably true
The most likely result is a win for the Democrats.
The price of petrol is likely to rise again this year.
It is likely that we’ll lose.
it looks as if/it looks like used when saying that the present situation makes you think that something will probably happen or is probably true
It looks like Greg has been delayed.
There aren’t any taxis, so it looks as if we’ll have to walk.
may/could/might well used when saying that you think something will probably happen or is probably true
He may well come back.
Take an umbrella. It might well rain later on.
It may well be his last game.
I would/should think spoken (also I would guess spoken) used when saying that you think something will probably happen or is probably true, although you are not sure
‘Will the match still go ahead?' ’Yes, I would think so.’
I should think she’s about 24 or 25.
Examples from the Corpus
probably• Wolfenstein is so addictive you will probablyattempt to play it to a conclusion by staying up all night.• I'll probably be late for dinnertonight.• We'll probably be shooting the movie on location in Europe.• Archaeologists think the temple was probably built in the 3rd centuryAD.• Daffodil Quentin seems to be acceptable to the other owners, who of course probably don't know about her three deadhorses.• Other zoos will probably euthanase theirs.• The body count was probably higher, maybe as high as 44, though police could never prove it.• He wrote dozens of books, but this is probably his best-known novel.• I probably should not have been stunned, since civilwarstestallegiances.• "Where is Joan?" "She's probably still at work."• There probably will be no kids as a result.• And he's probably, without knowing it of course, jealous of our happiness.• If we played a lame-duck year in Hartford, we probably would have lost $ 20 million to $ 25 million.
very/most probably• Joseph was most probably a mason, carpenter, cartwright and joiner.• Kasparov - Karpov Ruy Lopez 13 ... b6 is most probably a new move in this position.• Saunderson would most probably be one of them.• Four, and most probably five, of the constraints were outwith the control of most farmers.• June is mentioned, most probably June 2, with an Octoberdate a secondarypossibility.• A large proportion of the books were most probablyunread.• This, very probably, was a clash between civilizations.• If this sounds ridiculous, it is because it most probably was.
probably ♦︎ presumably ♦︎ no doubt ♦︎ doubtless ♦︎ (the) chances are... ♦︎ most likely ♦︎ in all probability...These words are all used to say that sth is likely to happen or be true.这些词均表示很可能、大概。SYNONYM SCALE 词义标尺下图显示这些词所表达可能的程度
probably
➔
presumably
➔
no doubt
the chances are…
most likely
doubtless
in all probability…
■probably (especiallyspoken) used to say that sth is likely to happen or be true几乎肯定;很可能;大概◆You're probably right.你很可能是对的。◆It'll probably be OK.这大概没什么问题。◆'Is he going to be there?' 'Probably.'“他会在那里吗?”“大概吧。”◆'Do we need the car?' 'Probably not.'“我们需要开车吗?”“大概用不着。” see also probable ⇨ likely■presumablyprɪˈzjuːməbli; NAmEprɪˈzuːməbli (especiallyspoken) used to say that you think that sth is probably true, based on the evidence you have(以现有的事实依据看)很可能,大概,想必是◆Presumably this is where the accident happened.这里大概就是事故现场。◆I couldn't concentrate, presumably because I was so tired.我的精神集中不起来,大概是太累了吧。 see also presume ⇨ supposeNOTE辨析 Probably or presumably?Probably suggests a conclusion based on what is generally likely to be true; presumably suggests a conclusion based on particular evidence, even though neither word suggests certainty. * probably指依常理推断为真,presumably则指依特定证据推断为真,两词都表示不确定的猜测。Presumably can be used to suggest that sth should be the case * presumably可以表示应该如此◆Presumably you'll be leaving the children at home.你应该会把孩子们留在家里吧。◆Probably you'll be leaving the children at home.or to ask sb to confirm what you already believe. * presumably也可用于请人证实自己的猜测◆You'll be taking the car, presumably?你们大概要开车去?◆You'll be taking the car, probably?Probably can be used to agree with sb * probably可以表示赞同◆You're probably right.你很可能是对的。◆You're presumably right.or to comfort sb. * probably也可用于宽慰某人◆It'll probably be OK.这大概没什么问题。◆It'll presumably be OK.■ˌno ˈdoubt
idiom
(ratherformal) used to say that you think that sth is probably true, because it is what you would normally expect无疑,很可能(因为正常情况下如此)◆No doubt she'll call us when she gets there.她到了那里肯定会给我们打电话。■doubtless (ratherformal, written) almost certainly大概;几乎肯定地◆He would doubtless disapprove of what Kelly was doing.他肯定不会赞同凯利做的事。■(the) chances are...
idiom
(ratherinformal) it is likely that...可能⋯◆(The) chances are you won't have to pay.可能你不必付钱。■most likelyvery probably很可能;大概◆The illness was caused, most likely, by a virus.这种病很可能是病毒引起的。 see also likely ⇨ likely■in ˌall probaˈbility...
idiom
(written) it is very likely that...很可能⋯◆In all probability he failed to understand the consequences of his actions.他很可能不了解他这样做的后果。